Lawsuit Filed Against Los Angeles County By Family Of a Police Officer, Ryan Clinkunbroomer, Alleging Excessive Overtime Led to Officer's Death

 

The family of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car has filed a lawsuit against the sheriff's department and county leaders. The lawsuit alleges that the department's excessive use of overtime put law enforcement officers at risk and contributed to the deputy's death.

The deputy, Ryan Clinkunbroomer, was 30 years old when he was killed in September 2023. He had been working a double shift and had racked up 69 hours of overtime in the two weeks leading up to his death.

His family's attorney, Brad Gage, said that Clinkunbroomer was so exhausted from being overworked that his senses were dulled and he missed "the telltale signs" of an impending ambush.

"Had he not been fatigued and exhausted, he would have responded safely; he'd be here today," Clinkunbroomer's father, Michael Clinkunbroomer, said.

The lawsuit is seeking $20 million in damages and changes to sheriff's department staffing and scheduling policies.

The sheriff's department has not commented on the lawsuit. However, Sheriff Robert Luna has previously vowed to make increasing the number of deputies a priority.

The Police Executive Research Forum in Washington, D.C., tracks staffing problems at law enforcement agencies nationwide.

"What you're seeing in LA, you're seeing across the country," said Chuck Wexler, the forum's executive director. "It's a huge issue."

Wexler said that fewer young people want to work in law enforcement and current police officers are retiring and resigning faster than they can be replaced.

The result is more overtime for officers and deputies currently on the job.

"And what you're finding is increased overtime, for some officers, is contributing to them leaving their jobs," Wexler said. "It's a generational thing. Younger officers would rather have more free time than overtime."

The lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal challenges facing the sheriff's department. The department has been accused of excessive use of force, misconduct, and racial profiling.

The lawsuit is sure to put renewed scrutiny on the department's staffing and scheduling practices.

[SOURCE]