Parents Allege Kids Physically, Verbally Abused By SoCal Police Officers At Boot Camp

CBS Los Angeles

HUNTINGTON PARK (CBSLA.com) — Police officers in Huntington Park and South Gate faced allegations Wednesday from the families of seven children who claim they were physically and verbally abused while attending a San Luis Obispo boot camp.

The children were among 36 kids between the ages of 12 through 16 who participated in the Leadership Empowerment and Discipline (LEAD) program between May 17-24 at Camp San Luis Obispo, a California Army National Guard Military Base in San Luis Obispo.  

On May 28, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office received a report from Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of an allegation of physical abuse inflicted on a child who was attending the LEAD program, which is sponsored by the Huntington Park Police Department, South Gate Police Department and the California National Guard.

Authorities say the Sheriff’s office sent three investigators to Southern California on May 30 to conduct interviews with the 39 recruits who attended the boot camp and identified six additional alleged victims.

According to attorneys, the children say LEAD drill instructors allegedly “slapped, punched, and stepped on their hands and backs while doing push-ups” and “took them into a dark room where they were beaten if they did not meet the expectations of the camp supervisors” and “given towels to clean the blood off of themselves prior to exiting the room after the beatings.”

Most of the alleged victims have identified two instructors known as the “Gomez Brothers” – who are reportedly with the South Gate Police Department – as the officers primarily responsible for the mistreatment, attorney Greg Owen told KNX 1070’s Margaret Carrero.

“They would put their arms, forearms up against their neck, push them against the wall, and then both brothers would beat them,” Owen said.

The officers have reportedly been suspended from the LEAD boot camp program, but are still allowed to work on patrol, according to attorneys.

Started in 1998 as a way to “develop leadership and discipline in youth while offering guidance and support to reduce family conflict”, the LEAD program costs $400, which covers the cost of boot camp meals, uniforms, drug testing, workbooks and parenting classes, attorneys said.

The Huntington Park Police Department posted photos on its official Facebook page on May 17 showing officers dressed in Army fatigues taking part in the LEAD boot camp program.

In a statement released Monday, South Gate Police Capt. James Teeples said a meeting was held May 31 with the parents of the youth participants in LEAD and Huntington Park Police Chief Jorge Cisneros and South Gate Police Chief Randy Davis, both of whom spoke to “provide assurance that any matters of concern will be investigated thoroughly.”

The statement read as follows: “Recently, we received notification from some participants in the program who made allegations concerning the disciplinary measures and tactics used by members of both organizations. Both agencies believe in complete transparency and take all allegations very seriously.”

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/06/03/kids-allege-physical-abuse-by-socal-police-officers-at-boot-camp/

5 thoughts on “Parents Allege Kids Physically, Verbally Abused By SoCal Police Officers At Boot Camp

  1. “Started in 1998 as a way to “develop leadership and discipline in youth while offering guidance and support to reduce family conflict”, the LEAD program costs $400, which covers the cost of boot camp meals, uniforms, drug testing, workbooks and parenting classes, attorneys said.”

    The leaders and family that this type of brainwashing will produce is perfect for a tyrannical state. Again, all the while making us pay for our enslavement.

    Everyone involved in this debacle is part of the problem.

  2. “The officers have reportedly been suspended from the LEAD boot camp program, but are still allowed to work on patrol, according to attorneys.”

    Of course they are.

  3. For every person that says JADE HELM is just a military exercise I ask you, why is the National Guard working with law enforcement abusing our children? What legal reason can anyone give that would allow the National Guard to be working alongside law enforcement?

    “The LEAD program, which is sponsored by the Huntington Park Police Department, South Gate Police Department and the California National Guard.”

  4. “… “took them into a dark room where they were beaten if they did not meet the expectations of the camp supervisors”

    One has to wonder what they do in their off time.

  5. Here are the lyrics:
    You, Yes You, Stand Still Laddie!*

    When we grew up and went to school, there were certain teachers who would hurt the children anyway they could
    by pouring their derision upon anything we did
    exposing any weakness however carefully hidden by the kids.

    But in the town it was well known
    When they got home at night their fat and psychopathic wives
    Would thrash them within inches of their lives!

    ooooooooooooo, oooooooo, ooooooooooo, ooooooooo, ooooooooo, ooooooooo,oooo.

    We don’t need no education
    We don’t need no thought control
    No dark sarcasm in the classroom
    Teachers leave them kids alone
    Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!
    All in all it’s just another brick in the wall.
    All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.

    (A bunch of kids singing) We don’t need no education
    We don’t need no thought control
    No dark sarcasm in the classroom
    Teachers leave them kids alone
    Hey! Teacher! Leave us kids alone!
    All in all it’s just another brick in the wall.
    All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.

    Spoken:
    “Wrong, Guess again!
    Wrong, Guess again!
    If you don’t eat yer meat, you can’t have any pudding.
    How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?
    You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddie!”

    [Sound of many TV’s coming on, all on different channels]
    “The Bulls are already out there”
    Pink: “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh!&q­uot;
    “This Roman Meal bakery thought you’d like to know.”

    (A bunch of kids singing) We don’t need no education
    We don’t need no thought control
    No dark sarcasm in the classroom
    Teachers leave them kids alone
    Hey! Teacher! Leave us kids alone!
    All in all it’s just another brick in the wall.
    All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.

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