Los Angeles County undersheriff out after a few months

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Turnover continues in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with the departure of its second-in-command little more than three months into the term of new Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

Ray Leyva tells the Los Angeles Times that Villanueva told him Monday he wanted a sworn officer in the position.

Leyva is a former commander who had returned to the department from a medical retirement.

He’s being replaced by a former station captain who was promoted three ranks to assistant sheriff and will now rise to undersheriff.

Villanueva was a retired lieutenant who upset former Sheriff Jim McDonnell’s re-election bid. He has replaced almost all of the executive team and is in conflict with county supervisors over the rehiring of a deputy fired in connection with alleged domestic abuse.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/