As Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna struggles to hold together a department in freefall, one name keeps surfacing behind the scenes: Chief Joe Mendoza. Recently promoted to oversee the Detective Division, Mendoza’s career reflects the very dysfunction eating away at LASD’s credibility — and its ability to retain the deputies it desperately needs.
A Tattoo That Tells the Story
Mendoza’s decision to cover up his notorious “Banditos” tattoo — once a proud display of clique loyalty — came only after the department’s image problem became politically inconvenient. His public narrative of “embarrassment” over the tattoo’s symbolism conveniently aligned with his bid for promotion, raising more questions than answers about his true motivations.
While Mendoza rebranded himself with a St. Michael tattoo, many in the department saw it for what it was: optics over accountability.
Targeting Critics: Intimidation Over Integrity
Beyond symbolic gestures, Mendoza’s actions have directly targeted those who challenge the department’s inner circle. In 2021, he attempted to intimidate this reporter for assisting former Sheriff Alex Villanueva with a communications strategy. Mendoza’s approach wasn’t subtle — making inappropriate comments about my body and appearance, and attempting to bully me into silence.
I reported Mendoza’s misconduct directly to Sheriff Villanueva, who addressed the matter swiftly and professionally. But Mendoza, despite his behavior, faced no public repercussions — a reflection of the department’s persistent culture of protecting insiders.
A Woke Agenda Over the Rank and File
Since his promotion, Mendoza has consistently made questionable administrative decisions that prioritize the Board of Supervisors’ progressive political agenda over the operational needs of LASD deputies. His actions — often in lockstep with supervisors more concerned with optics and “equity initiatives” — have further alienated the department’s frontline personnel.
Deputies on the ground report that Mendoza’s decisions routinely undermine field operations, public safety priorities, and officer morale. Rather than advocate for the needs of sworn personnel, Mendoza has aligned himself with policies designed to appease county leadership — regardless of the impact on law enforcement effectiveness.
The Consequences: A Department in Freefall
The result? A historic personnel crisis. With the department in freefall, Luna distracts with dog-and-pony photo ops starring Mendoza — a career opportunist more interested in camera angles than serving the rank and file. Meanwhile, LASD has seen a mass exodus of sworn deputies, reaching its lowest staffing levels since the 1970s. Rank-and-file members cite a lack of leadership support, politically motivated policy shifts, and a toxic culture of retaliation as key reasons for leaving.
While public safety deteriorates, Mendoza’s focus has remained fixed on maintaining favor with the Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Luna’s inner circle — not supporting the deputies tasked with protecting Los Angeles County.
A Political Photo Op with Nathan Hochman — While the House Burns
Most recently, Mendoza appeared alongside District Attorney Nathan Hochman at a photo op inside a 7-Eleven, promoting efforts to curb retail theft. For both men, the staged event was a convenient PR distraction from their respective failures — Hochman’s courtroom losses and Mendoza’s management disasters.
But to the LASD rank and file, Mendoza’s photo ops are seen as hollow gestures — a continuation of the same political theater that has left the department understaffed, unsupported, and under siege.
Bottom Line: The Mendoza Effect
Chief Joe Mendoza’s career trajectory is a case study in how political loyalty and image management have overtaken competence and accountability within the LASD. His questionable decisions, lack of support for deputies, and alignment with a woke political agenda have accelerated a crisis that threatens the department’s core mission.
For the deputies still holding the line, Mendoza’s legacy is already clear: he didn’t stand with them when it mattered.
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