California appeals court rules LA County sheriff's chiefs could not reinstate fired deputies without board approval
Key points
- California's Second District Court of Appeal ruled on October 30, 2026 that sheriff's chiefs could not reinstate deputies without Board of Supervisors approval
- Three deputies fired around 2017 struck deals with the chief in 2019; the board never approved them
- The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) sued in December 2019; the trial court dismissed the case in July 2025
California's Second District Court of Appeal, in a decision filed October 30, 2026, ruled that Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department chiefs could not cut reinstatement deals with discharged deputies without Board of Supervisors approval. Three deputies fired around 2017 had struck separate deals in 2019 while civil service appeals were pending. The county refused to honor them, and the trial court dismissed the case in July 2025.
What employers should do
- Public-sector employers can verify that reinstatement or settlement agreements have received required approvals
Policy details
- Jurisdiction
- California
- Status
- Court ruling
- Effective date
- —
- Employers covered
- Los Angeles County and its Sheriff's Department
- Official source
- View official source ↗
Original report: Human Resources Director ↗Edited with AI assistance. Facts are based on official sources and original reports. For information only; not legal, immigration or insurance advice.