When it comes to police reform, one of the most glaring and urgent issues is the unchecked power of sheriff departments. Once elected, sheriffs face almost no oversight and are nearly impossible to remove from office. This lack of accountability has led to widespread corruption, with some departments acting as though they’re above the law. Even more disturbing is the existence of actual police gangs, like those found within the LA County Sheriff’s Department, operating with impunity under this broken system. This week, Adam sits down with lawyer and journalist Jessica Pishko, author of The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy, to explore how sheriffs went from being iconic figures in the American imagination to becoming some of the most corrupt and dangerous forces in the country.
When it comes to police reform, one of the most glaring and urgent issues is the unchecked power of sheriff departments. Once elected, sheriffs face almost no oversight and are nearly impossible to remove from office. This lack of accountability has led to widespread corruption, with some departments acting as though they’re above the law. Even more disturbing is the existence of actual police gangs, like those found within the LA County Sheriff’s Department, operating with impunity under this broken system. This week, Adam sits down with lawyer and journalist Jessica Pishko, author of The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy, to explore how sheriffs went from being iconic figures in the American imagination to becoming some of the most corrupt and dangerous forces in the country. Find Jessica's book at factuallypod.com/books
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