LA Jail Violence Commission Turns Attention to Undersheriff Paul Tanaka

The Citizens Commission on Jail Violence has scheduled Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca’s second in command to testify about inmate abuse on Friday, July 27. Undersheriff Paul Tanaka is a little known but powerful force within the department who is responsible for day-to-day operations.

The Citizens Commission on Jail Violence has scheduled Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca’s second in command to testify about inmate abuse on Friday, July 27. Undersheriff Paul Tanaka is a little known but powerful force within the department who is responsible for day-to-day operations. His testimony comes amid an FBI investigation into allegations of widespread abuse of inmates by sheriff’s guards.

Criticism of Tanaka prompted jail violence commission member Alex Busansky, President of NCCD, to ask a sheriff’s captain an unexpected question.  “Do you believe that Paul Tanaka should remain as undersheriff? That he’s able to carry out his job?” he asked. “Will the systems hold him accountable?” He will be able to confront Tanaka himself with that question when the undersheriff appears before the Citizens Commission on Jail Violence. Baca is also scheduled to speak.