46-year-old Ingrid Braun sees a disconnect between the Mono Sheriff’s Department and the communities they serve. “It’s an us versus them mentality,” she said. Braun hopes her run for Sheriff will change that. The former LAPD Lieutenant and current Mammoth Reserve Officer said she came to the decision to run for office reluctantly.
Officer Braun said she did not accept the idea of running for Mono County Sheriff easily or even voluntarily. Braun said she thought about it earlier and dismissed the idea, but then, she said, she was contacted by many people throughout the County – leaders and others who asked her to run. After talking with family and friends, she decided she would take on Sheriff Ralph Obenberger. Braun said without a challenger, there would be “no forced discussion. There has been a lot of talk” she said, “but not a lot of answers.”
Braun declined to make personal comments about Sheriff Obenberger, but she did say, “It’s time for a change in leadership and how the Sheriff’s Department interacts with local people and tourists.” Braun said she believes there is a disconnect between the Sheriff’s Department and the community it serves. Braun said she heard feedback on what has been described as Sheriff Obenberger’s defensive response to questions from County Supervisors about his saturation patrol in August. Braun concluded that “the Supervisors were just doing their jobs.” She also made it clear her Department would enforce the law but have more involvement within the community and less on Highway 395.
Since she announced, Braun said the feedback has been “really enthusiastic.” One of her supporters, she said, is former Mono Sheriff Digger Wilson. Braun now spends time on organization of her campaign and collection of signatures. She said, “I have about 100 signatures in less than a week. I’m talking to Supervisors, former Supervisors, community leaders and others.”
Braun worked for the Mono Sheriff’s Office briefly as a deputy. Obenberger terminated her a week before her probationary period ended. He told Braun it was best for the “big picture.” He declined to comment to us at the time. Sources have said the Sheriff is now telling some people that he ended Braun’s job because of three mishaps with her patrol car. Braun admitted she is “not the best off-road driver. She said, “I’m better at driving in the snow now. Nobody’s perfect. Deputies do have crashes. It happens a lot when covering 3300 square miles.”
Braun has 21 years under her belt as a Los Angeles Police Officer with experience as a watch commander, head of a gang narcotics’ unit, an investigator and supervisor of an Internal Affairs Unit and other tasks. She retired as a Lieutenant.
OMG…your deductive reasoning is the worst I’ve ever seen. Let me see, how about this deduction…since I’ve been alive, there has never been a nuclear attack…therefore, my existence stops nuclear war. Right on! Let’s hope I never die!
The ultimate goal of law enforcement is to develop a safe living and working environment for the citizenry. The MCSO has done that. All that horrific violence in the LA basin simply doesn’t happen here. This situation is no accident, Sheriff Obe works hard at making our lives here safe… Read more »
This was not the same accident, but he did have this one also. All motor vehicle accidents while on duty or in a county vehicle will be investigated and all reports of his multiple accidents SHOULD be in his personnel file. I would say the sheriff’s department should provide you… Read more »
Rumor has it the boys in Bridgeport are very nervous! The Sheriff’s Department for the most part is comprised of hard working professionals who try to do the right thing. Unfortunately, the wrong people were promoted to positions they were not qualified to hold. Promotion by the “good old boy”… Read more »
I would like to throw in two cents reference the traffic collision argument. Firstly, law enforceent driving is not civilian driving. The circumstances surrounding Ms.Braun’s vehicle collisions occurred off road and in snow during the course and scope of her duties during calls for service. Deputies in Mono County drive… Read more »
Reply from Sheriff Obenberger’s Office: After researching this topic, Sheriff Obenberger was involved in a Traffic Collision back in 2002. He was proceeding out of a residential driveway area when another vehicle turned into the same driveway at which point the vehicles collided. There is no stop sign at this… Read more »
Gee…Fired for no reason after wrecking three cars. I would of fired any of my guys for a 2nd accident in one year. I wonder how much discipline Ingrid has had in her career? According to the LA Times she has she was present during the Rodney King incident AND… Read more »
My maiden name is Larson, and yes, I was a “bystander” at the Rodney King incident. This incident forever changed law enforcement in Los Angeles, California and throughout the country. Much could have been done differently, and is done differently today with more tools and better training. Mr. Turner’s characterization… Read more »
I just wanted to say please don’t let the dirty politics that have obviously started bother you. I am sure that tidbit of information came from the portliest of the goons and was desseminated out to sully your reputation. I am sure it won’t be the first or the last… Read more »
I beg to differ,Scott…the MOST horrific and historic civil rights beating ever caught on film of ALL time was the police video camera footage of the beating death of Kelly Thomas in Fullerton. Rodney King was beaten and out of the hospital the NEXT day. Kelly Thomas took a one-way… Read more »
Thanks Rick, I wrote comment here about Kelly Thomas and couldn’t bring myself to submit it. I didn’t want to say something I might truly regret. Watching the full thirty five minute video of his “arrest” turned my stomach.
Make that broke my heart.
Wow LEO
Citing biblical verses & integrity!!
This wouldn’t be the same deputy that cheated?
I have known Ingrid for more than 20 years while on patrol, detectives, Internal affairs and we also taught sergeant school together for several of those years. She is a wealth of knowledge as a leader, peer, and a good cop. She embraces the community policing effort made by our… Read more »
It would be a real shame if the Mono County Good Ol’ Boy Club got broke up. Maybe Dan Paranick could lobby to get some kind of legislation passed to make Mono County exempt from elections.
Ingrid, Thank you for telling us the details of your auto mishaps. They are all obviously very minor. Things do happen. The fact that you may not be the best off-road driver does not mean you won’t be a good sheriff. What we need in the top position are high… Read more »
I have known Ingrid Braun for about 15 years. I worked for her as a field supervisor while she was a watch commander. I can say with absolute certainty that her integrity is beyond reproach. She has qualities about her that balance heart and head without disregarding either. I have… Read more »
I used to work with Ingrid with LAPD. Even as a young officer and detective, she was always intelligent, hard working and knew her job. As she rose through the ranks to Lieutenant she was well respected and outstanding supervisor. As with any job, public or private, a new boss… Read more »
LAPD wrote the book on us vs them policing. They behave like an occupying army rather than a police force. When I hear words like that from anyone who rose up in the ranks of LAPD I just roll my eyes and shake my head. Don’t let the smile fool… Read more »
Ingrid sounds solid to me… She appears thoughtful, caring and very methodical… I have never met or do I know Ingrid but she appears to have vision, balance, faith and Trust from the Mono County Community … In complete honesty, and per confidentiality, I understand why the current Sheriff can… Read more »
It’s ashame that we can’t elect a new CHP Commander for Bridgeport area which includes Mammoth while we are at it.
In general I am not in favor of electing sheriffs or a CHP chief were that possible. I feel strongly that the top law enforcement officer in a jurisdiction should be answerable to an elected representative body, and an elected sheriff is not. As with the military, law enforcement should… Read more »
DT…their dynamic HAS changed drastically because they’re hiring the boys and girls that are coming home from the middle east that have seen too much,too fast and are programmed to be SOLDIERS, not peace officers. (my opinion only). ,There’s an officer (CHP) up north somewhere, being investigated for nearly beating… Read more »
Mr. Rick, as a veteran of both wars I am offended you would assume we as vets are crazy because we have seen combat. The whole “PTSD” diagnosis is used too often and abused to get $$$, and that’s it. I can only assume from your comment you are not… Read more »
Deputy-Vet.. my comment was not to disparage returning vet’s. It was to question the hiring practices of some law enforcement agencies, namely, the CHP. There is NO WAY, a former MMA fighter should be wearing a badge and a gun. Maybe they should put more emphasis on their background investigations… Read more »
Funny how he goes from “looking at the big picture’ to “she abused her patrol vehicle”. I can’t even BEGIN to say how much I look forward to a debate between these two. Hopefully, it will be held on neutral ground where Ralphie can’t attempt to intimidate the crowd with… Read more »
Good point Big Rick. The “Goon Squad” technique did not work out so well for Ralph when he used it to try and intimidate the Board of Supervisors. It sounds like they are the ones that called Ingrid and asked her to run for sheriff! Thanks Goon Squad! Keep it… Read more »
Our Sheriff needs to be challenged and held accountable to the folks that hired him! We have a chance to hire a fresh thinking and acting top cop to reign in this office. Go Ingrid!!!!!
I’m pleased there may be a real election instead of passing of the torch, and maybe a well past due image change of the Sheriff’s Department within the local community too.
@BDGP I am in total agreement with you and I am also glad there will be a real election. I am confident that Candidate Braun will be elected. I believe the citizens are tired of how the department is being run and the attitudes that are displayed by the current… Read more »
Not too pleased with what “actions?”
Ms Braun, Please tell details of “mishaps” and what you would do with employee in same situation in terms of training and discipline.
She may have had her mishaps and can use that as a learning experience to train and educate our Deputies on slowing down and not tailgating, etc. Slowing down when not in code and responding to a call would save Mono County countless dollars on wasted fuel, needless wear and… Read more »
BDGP, she has posted here before and I was honestly hoping she would answer as Chief Watson does. Plenty of people that learned to drive here would get in three accidents in the first six months driving in LA. If “mishaps” were the reason to fire her, then I want… Read more »
I may not always respond in this forum, as I believe the discussions are healthy enough. But Pedro is right, I should explain my mishaps, which was my word choice, not Bennett’s. In spring of 2012, I brushed a guardrail going up Deadman, causing paint transfer to the driver’s side… Read more »
I drive for a living, If I had repeat collisions w/ my company vehicle 3 times [especially during my probation period] I would expect to be terminated…Is it different because you are law enforcement?..Do as I say not as I do…..And as for the 2 times I called you[and when… Read more »
I have well over one million miles driving commercial vehicles including heavy school busses and gasoline tank trucks. Three at fault collisions in a year would have cost me my commercial license. The second one would have cost me my job.
Tom O & DT,
Don’t put your type of driving in the same category of Law Enforcement Officers. LE Officers are taught to drive much more aggressive than a commercial Truck Driver of or a driver of the Big Yellow Bus.
You missed the point, whatever. I guarantee you I have more experience in every scenario she mentioned, let alone winter driving….. just sayin
Thank you for the reply. What you describe wouldn’t keep me from voting for you and we can move on to other questions. Buy a old car and practice off-road. Or use your boss’s like I do when they’re gone. Enter the Demolition Derby at county fair if you really… Read more »
DT
First, miles from playing grand theft auto don’t count. Second, if you’re not smart enough to replace a broken mirror or clean paint off vehicle yourself…. Third,… oh, just forget it.
Tom O,
I walked to school in the snow and it was uphill in both directions!
wow, that’s some impressive driving there… lol. You sound like a nice person, honestly. And I might even vote for ya. But I’m sorry to say, I would’ve definitely have let you go too, crashing that many times in one year… Good thing it really has little to do with… Read more »
I have to say I have Major respect for those who address the public concerns in any forum, There is much disconnect, and We must be receptive to one another if we really want better for ALL! Special Thanks to Ingrid Braun and Dan Watson, for taking the time to… Read more »
In looking at all the comments in regards to Ingrid’s running for Sheriff it didn’t surprise me to see all the usual haters bashing the Sheriff dept. What’s funny to me is the lack of forward movement from those posting the bashing. Just for FYI, we won the war, Japan… Read more »
Just want to point out that Sierra Wave learned that Sheriff Obenberger had told some people that he fired Ms. Braun due to car crashes. She did not bring it up. She responded to it.
Benett Kessler
The more important issue should be why would the current Sheriff illegally divulge ANY personal matters? A slightly smaller, yet important issue would be why wouldn’t the current Sheriff provide training for any employee who had a mishap in a vehicle? Also, why wouldn’t the current Sheriff have informed Braun… Read more »
I don’t believe probationary termination requires a reason.
Benett Kessler
While you are correct about not needing a reason to release an employee during probation it is extremely concerning that the County (Sheriff Obenberger) is publicly releasing confidential employment records/information. I would hope the County would investigate this breech of confidentiality immediately and take appropriate action. Highly unlikely though.
While probationary termination does not require a reason, it does show the current Sheriff’s lack of experience. When any employee has a performance problem, it is incumbent upon the supervisor/manager to counsel and train the employee. This method of leadership saves money and increases moral. Failure to do so, results… Read more »
There’s a disconnect alright – all you need to do is read the paranoid comments regularly
posted here on anything related to law enforcement.
Unfortunately a new Sheriff probably won’t be enough to overcome the deep seated issues some have with law enforcement, but maybe it will be a start.
I agree that it may not be enough to overcome the deep seated issues with our local LE, but non-the-less it is a start, a fresh one at that. Maybe we can get our local LE to follow the law instead of being above it and possibly some education on… Read more »
Well Charles, I don’t see my comments as paranoia, I like to think I have valid concerns for the society we live in, and this draconian justice system that feeds off the public is far from justice. The paranoia that I see that is most damaging is the paranoia of… Read more »
I just wanted to say I am very hopeful that you are elected Ingrid, there is definitely a change needed for the community of Mono County. A lot of people have been hurt by the current administration and unfortunately a lot of good employees lost in the process, I also… Read more »
Who exactly has been “hurt” and which “good employees have been lost”?
The fact that Braun already has support from a former Mono County Sheriff and several Mono County leaders at this early stage, speaks volumes about the total lack of leadership from Sheriff Obenberger and Undersheriff Weber. I am sure that there are many employees who are terrified that Obenberger and… Read more »