Imperfect Paradise: Deputies severely beat a man struggling with mental health issues. Where are the records?
Norco 80
LAist Studios
3.7 • 889 Ratings
🗓️ 13 August 2025
⏱️ 29 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies severely beat Joseph Perez in 2020, then arrested him. His mom Vanessa alleges that she had previously told law enforcement that Perez has a serious mental illness and would need to be placed in a psychiatric facility. Mother and son believe the deputies used unnecessary force on Perez and are the center of an ongoing legal battle, attempting to hold the sheriff’s department accountable for its actions. LAist Mental Health and Wellbeing Reporter Robert Garrova shares more about the case and discusses efforts for transparency around investigations into allegations of excessive use of force.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This week on Imperfect Paradise, a new chapter unfolds in the feud between former LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. |
| 0:09.3 | What kicked off the conflict in the first place? Listen to Imperfect Paradise wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 0:15.2 | Hi there. It's Rob Risko, Vice President of Membership. L.A.S. is here today because someone before you decided to go from being a listener to becoming a donating member. |
| 0:23.9 | Now's your chance. LAS is funded by you. Thank you. Please become a member today at LAS.com slash give. |
| 0:30.6 | Hey, this is in Perfect Paradise. I'm Antonia Serejida. |
| 0:35.3 | L.A. is a city that has a history of rising up against excessive use of force by law enforcement. |
| 0:41.8 | Probably the most famous instance of this was in 1992, with the L.A. uprising in reaction to the |
| 0:48.1 | beating of Rodney King. But what happens when there isn't a giant spotlight on excessive force? |
| 0:54.8 | Does previous outrage translate into lasting change? |
| 0:58.5 | Today, we're bringing you a story that shows how people with severe mental illness can end up incarcerated, |
| 1:05.3 | even when they have family members doing all they can to get them help. |
| 1:09.5 | It's also about the use of force by law enforcement officers |
| 1:12.8 | and a battle for records that could have major implications on transparency |
| 1:17.7 | around investigations into allegations of excessive use of force |
| 1:22.6 | and how law enforcement is or isn't held accountable. |
| 1:27.5 | LAS reporter Robert Grova covers mental health and tells us how the Los Angeles County Jail |
| 1:32.2 | System became the defracto mental health institution for the region. |
| 1:43.7 | Hi, Robert. |
| 1:45.1 | Hey, Antonio. |
| 1:46.4 | Yeah, so tell us about the story of Joseph Bades. |
| 1:49.7 | How did you learn about Joseph? |
| 1:51.9 | So I first came into contact with his mom, actually. |
... |
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