Deputies union disputes report

[ConfuZed]

By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer

Breaking years of silence, the Los Angeles deputy sheriffs union is lashing back at a special counsel's critical review of department shootings and foot pursuits, saying in a report scheduled to be released today that it is "handcuffing law enforcement."

Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs' President Roy Burns said criticism by Special Counsel Merrick Bobb in a 2003 semi-annual report is influencing some sheriff's officials to discourage the use of foot pursuits.

"(These reports) are handcuffing law enforcement, who need to be able to protect the public," Burns said. "We are losing the battle. Our own guys are being ambushed. If this tool is taken away from us, all that will do is leave more criminals on the streets to prey upon society."...<More>

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