Retired LASD Boss Brendan Corbett Jumps Into Packed L.A. Sheriff Race

Corbett promises to rebuild reserves, refocus patrol, and expand custody-release programs.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A cinematic painting of a lone police car parked on a shadowy urban street, capturing a quiet, contemplative mood around the upcoming sheriff's election.As the race for Los Angeles County Sheriff heats up, a retired assistant's promise to rebuild the department's reserves and refocus on community policing reflects a broader debate over the future direction of law enforcement.Los Angeles Today

Retired Assistant Sheriff Brendan Corbett is running for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, outlining plans to overhaul how people are released from custody, expand programs that treat substance use and mental illness, and shift more department resources back to patrol. Corbett is diving into a crowded contest that already features incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and several current and former LASD officers.

Why it matters

The 2026 sheriff's race is seen as a referendum on the future direction of the department, which has faced intense scrutiny over expensive legal settlements and oversight questions. Corbett's campaign platform aims to balance law-and-order priorities with a focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.

The details

Corbett's campaign platform calls for shifting more department resources back to patrol, rebuilding the Reserve program to roughly 1,000 volunteers within a year, and launching a coordinated custody-release plan that brings together the District Attorney, the courts, and county services in an effort to cut homelessness and recidivism. He is also pushing expedited hiring for professional staff and new technology he says would speed up response times.

  • Corbett is listed among the candidates in the June 2 primary, where any contender who clears 50 percent of the vote wins the job outright.

The players

Brendan Corbett

A retired assistant sheriff who is running for Los Angeles County Sheriff, promising to rebuild reserves, refocus patrol, and expand custody-release programs.

Robert Luna

The incumbent Los Angeles County Sheriff who is running for re-election.

Alex Villanueva

A former Los Angeles County Sheriff who is running again for the position.

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What they’re saying

“He cast the strategy as both a public-safety priority and a way to save taxpayer dollars.”

— Brendan Corbett, Retired Assistant Sheriff

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.