L.A. County deputy collected paychecks after felony excessive force conviction

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A Los Angeles County deputy who was convicted of excessive force continued to collect a paycheck for months even though he was barred from carrying a badge in California, according to Sheriff’s Department officials and county records.A federal jury convicted Trevor Kirk in February 2025 of a felony after he was recorded throwing a woman face first onto the ground outside a supermarket in Lancaster.Kirk, 33, was sentenced to four months in prison and had his certification as a law enforcement officer revoked by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, in effect banning him from working as a police officer in the state.

But Kirk remained employed with the Sheriff’s Department for months afterward, collecting benefits and a six-figure salary.After he was relieved of duty in 2023, Kirk was off the streets and had no other duties assigned in the department, a department spokesperson said.

California The judge’s decision brings to a close a criminal case for excessive force that top federal prosecutor Bill Essayli sought to have overturned despite a conviction by a jury.Now, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission is tasking the Sheriff’s Department to draft a policy to determine how to handle the firing of deputies who have been decertified and can no longer serve as peace officers in California.Kirk’s attorney, Tom Yu, did not respond to a request for comment.Kirk was relieved of duty in July 2023.In a recording that surfaced weeks earlier, Kirk was seen responding to a report of a robbery and being approached by a woman outside a WinCo Foods supermarket.

The woman was recording deputies with her cellphone as they handcuffed a man matching the description of a suspect.Kirk then approached the woman, tried to grab her cellphone and threw her to the ground, video showed.

Kirk pinned her down with a knee to her back and used pepper-s...