A new report shows alcohol-related incidents involving Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies are on the rise this year after falling in 2009.
There were 33 incidents between January and May, an increase over the same period in 2009, the Office of Independent Review found. Several of the incidents involved deputies who were drinking while on duty.
Sheriff Lee Baca said he still plans to bar deputies from carrying firearms while intoxicated. The deputies' union is fighting the rule. The sheriff told the Los Angeles Times he's preparing provisions that would lead to dismissals for off-duty deputies who shoot their weapons or respond belligerently to law enforcement officers while intoxicated.
