Deputies suspended in Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES, May 17 (UPI) -- Seven Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were suspended, officials confirmed, amid an investigation into possible violation of Sheriff's Department rules.

Department spokesman Steve Whitmore confirmed the deputies had been suspended but would not discuss allegations against the seven, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

"It's still early in the investigation," he said.

Department investigators were looking into whether the deputies broke department rules or engaged in serious misconduct, the Times reported.

The suspended deputies are suspected of being members of the so-called Jump Out Boys -- a deputies' clique the Times said promotes aggressive policing, including the use of lethal force. Investigators are concerned the group might promote police shootings, the newspaper said.

Citing unidentified sources, the Times said the deputies were placed on leave with pay this week.

The deputies have all been members of the Gang Enforcement Team. Sources told the Times the name Jump Out Boys may have come from gang members describing how quickly the officers would leave their police cars.

Six deputies who allegedly belonged to a clique known as "3,000" -- after the floor in the jail where they worked -- were fired in 2011 following a fight at a 2010 Christmas party.