Commission Appointed To Probe LA County Jails Releases Report

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A commission appointed to investigate Los Angeles County jails said the system has shown "a persistent pattern of unnecessary and excessive force" and blamed Sheriff Lee Baca for a "failure of leadership."

The Citizens' Commission on Jail Violence, a panel made up of several former judges and a police chief, released its final report Friday after a lengthy investigation of the nation's largest county jail system.

The report gives several harsh rebukes to Baca, and commission members said they considered asking him to resign, but instead expressed hope he would carry out the panel's list of more than 60 recommendations.

The Los Angeles Times reports that commission members said if Baca doesn't institute its reforms, federal authorities may order him to make similar moves.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)