Officer on Leave After Using Pepper Spray During Girls Brawl at LA Juvenile Facility

The chemical irritant was used despite a county ban on its usage against girls in juvenile facilities.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A Los Angeles County probation officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation for using pepper spray during a fight involving 14 girls at a juvenile facility that restricts access to the chemical irritant. The incident occurred in mid-January when seven girls rushed from one classroom to another and began attacking seven other youth. One officer was struck in the face during the altercation. The Probation Department confirmed the staff member was placed on leave, stating their policy prohibits line staff from carrying or using pepper spray at the Campus Kilpatrick facility.

Why it matters

The use of pepper spray at the juvenile facility is a violation of a 2022 Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors motion that prohibited its usage against girls. The incident raises concerns about the safety and well-being of youth in the county's juvenile justice system, as well as the Probation Department's adherence to its own policies restricting the use of force.

The details

According to a notification sent to county officials, the mid-January brawl broke out when seven girls rushed from one classroom to another and began 'attacking and assaulting seven youth inside.' All available officers responded to the classroom to stop the 'major disturbance,' during which one officer was struck in the face 'approximately three times causing injury.' The Probation Department confirmed a staff member was placed on administrative leave, stating their policy prohibits line staff from carrying or using pepper spray at the Campus Kilpatrick facility. The department said if the investigation determines any actions were inconsistent with their practices and policies, appropriate corrective and disciplinary action will be taken.

  • The incident occurred in mid-January 2026.
  • The Probation Department placed the staff member on administrative leave following the incident.
  • The Probation Oversight Commission was notified of the incident on January 13, 2026.
  • The Board of Supervisors discussed the incident at their February 3, 2026 meeting.

The players

Vicky Waters

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Guillermo Viera Rosa

The Chief of the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Lindsay Horvath

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who demanded answers about the incident.

Reggie Torres

The president of the Supervising Deputy Probation Officers Union.

Campus Kilpatrick

A Los Angeles County juvenile facility that restricts the use of pepper spray.

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What they’re saying

“Department policy is also clear that OC spray is not to be issued to line staff assigned to Campus Kilpatrick. Importantly, we remain committed to the Board of Supervisors' motion regarding the prohibition of OC spray at that facility, maintaining accountability, and ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone who lives and works in our juvenile facilities.”

— Vicky Waters, Probation Department spokesperson (presstelegram.com)

“Without being cryptic, what I can say is that you are correct in your statement, that does not reflect the policy of the Probation Department and that there are employees that currently are undergoing investigation and are not being allowed to work. They're off work because of the severity of these allegations.”

— Guillermo Viera Rosa, Probation Chief (presstelegram.com)

“Reform cannot mean recklessness. When you eliminate screening, mix classifications, and ignore known rivalries, you are not advancing rehabilitation; you are creating preventable risk. Our members support meaningful change, but it must be grounded in sound correctional practice and safety for both youth and officers. What happened at Campus Kilpatrick was a preventable operational failure, and it needs to be corrected before someone gets seriously hurt.”

— Reggie Torres, President, Supervising Deputy Probation Officers Union (presstelegram.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the staff member who used the pepper spray to return to work.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Los Angeles County Probation Department in balancing reform efforts with maintaining safety and security in its juvenile facilities. The use of pepper spray, despite a county ban, raises concerns about the department's adherence to its own policies and the need for greater oversight and accountability to protect the well-being of youth in the justice system.