Los Angeles County plans to fire deputies

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Los Angeles County plans to fire seven sheriff's deputies for membership in a secret group called the Jump Out Boys, officials said.

The clique's members allegedly have tattoos showing skulls with skeletal hands holding revolvers, the Los Angeles Times reported. Smoke on the tattoo indicates a deputy has been involved in a shooting.

The seven deputies have been given notice of the intent to dismiss them, the department said. All seven have worked on an anti-gang squad.

One of the seven told the Times the group encourages good police work. He read passages from a pamphlet produced by the Jump Out Boys.

"We are alpha dogs who think and act like the wolf but never become the wolf," it said, suggesting criminals are wolves.

Officials say none of the seven has engaged in illegal conduct. Los Angeles County has been trying to crack down on secret cliques in the sheriff's office.