L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Reporter

The Los Angeles Times is looking for a reporter to cover the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the LASD as both a law enforcement agency and center of power in L.A. County. As one of the largest police forces in the country, its deputies patrol much of our sprawling county and run the nation’s largest jail system. The sheriff, meanwhile, is an elected official, injecting a potent element of politics into how the department operates. While the assignment will include some crime reporting, it will focus heavily on covering the institution and the sheriff who runs it. This will be a demanding job that requires a versatile reporter who is comfortable tackling breaking news, midrange stories and investigations – sometimes all at once. Ideal candidates will have experience covering law enforcement, a passion for accountability reporting and a track record of generating stories that produce impact. We are looking for someone who is relentless, thick-skinned and curious, as well as an expert at building sources in a seemingly impenetrable institution. Candidates must also enjoy collaborating with other reporters and departments, especially our data team.