John Scott Named Interim Sheriff of LA County

John Scott named Interim Sheriff of Los Angeles County

By Brian Hews

Los Angeles County has a new Interim Sheriff, and his name is John Scott.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed Scott who is the current Orange County Undersheriff to assume command of the besieged department following the abrupt retirement of Sheriff Leroy Baca’s two weeks ago.

Supervisor Don Knabe hailed the decision to bring in the outsider Scott in a statement to Hews Media Group late Tuesday night.

“The Sheriff’s Department is at a crossroads, and John has the necessary experience and skills to step in right away and lead in the interim. During his over 40 years in law enforcement, John has served in capacities across the board, from operating the County’s jails to patrolling unincorporated communities,” Knabe said.

“This wide range of experience will allow John to continue our efforts to aggressively implement recommendations made by the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, while maintaining the great work of the thousands of men and women who keep our communities safe,” Knabe continued.

Scott has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, and began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1969. During his tenure with the department, Scott rose through the ranks from Deputy to Acting Chief, where he was responsible for the Custody Operations Division. After Scott retired from LASD, he was brought into the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens in 2008 to serve as Undersheriff.

“During his tenure with Orange County, John has been instrumental in turning around a department that faced similar conditions to those we face today in Los Angeles County. I would like to thank Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for allowing John to take a leave from his duties as Undersheriff to return to Los Angeles County. Sheriff Hutchens began her law enforcement career with Los Angeles County, and she cares greatly about the department’s future. The Board looks forward to working closely with John over the next 10 months before a newly elected Sheriff takes over the department,”” Knabe stressed.

Scott began is career in law enforcement in January of 1969, when he worked as a deputy patrolling out of the Lakewood Station area.

In 1974, he was promoted to Sergeant and held assignments at Firestone Station, the Special Enforcement Bureau and the Emergency Operations Bureau. Following his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in 1984, Commander Scott took assignments at Men’s Central Jail, Carson Station, Field Operations Region II Headquarters, the Office of Emergency Management, Employee Relations, and was the Executive Aide to the Assistant Sheriff. In 1995, he took command of Carson Station following his promotion to Captain. In June 2001, he held the rank of Acting Commander, leading the Custody Operations Division, North Facilities.

Scott holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Redlands University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Communications from Pepperdine University.

Also hailing Scott’s appointment was Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

“With considerable experience in law enforcement and strong leadership qualities, John Scott will be a superb interim sheriff to lead the department until voters elect a new sheriff,” said Antonovich in a statement.