The department confirmed the move was linked to a probe 'involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office' but declined to provide information about the number of deputies.

Inspector General Max Huntsman says the new policy is unlikely to pierce a code of silence surrounding the gangs.

Several Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies have been relieved of duty in connection with a federal investigation into the department by the U.S Attorney’s Office.

Three members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were relieved of duty this week after it was discovered the deputies, who were working for a privately owned security firm, were using county computers to gather information for a client who was under federal investigation