Why Every County Needs Civilian Oversight of its Local Sheriff Department
An overview of how civilian oversight works and where it stands in different counties.
Oversight advocacy
Alameda County to award unprecedented $7M to family of Oakland man left for dead at Santa Rita Jail
An Oakland man was left in his jail cell for three to four days before he was finally discovered dead, ignored by prison guards and Wellpath health care; records were falsified. The highest wrongful death settlement in the county’s history does not include the amount that Wellpath is expected to also pay the family.
Oversight in the news
SMC Board of Supervisors Consider Oversight
Proposal would include a civilian advisory board and a separate supervisors’ oversight committee. It would create a supervisors’ criminal justice or oversight committee and a separate civilian advisory board. The supervisors would hire an inspector general for critical cases, but the board would retain subpoena power, they said during a study session.
Oversight in the news
Police across county need to live up to a new standard
An opinion piece makes the point that lasting peace in Marin County requires recognition of the equal value of all residents and the dismantling of practices that normalize discrimination and police violence.
Oversight in the news
Amid jail deaths and lawsuits, groups urge Riverside County supervisors to rein in sheriff
Citing more than $77 million paid to settle lawsuits brought against the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, more than 25 advocacy and religious organizations launched a campaign Tuesday urging the county’s board of supervisors to do more to address the record number of deaths in jails.
Oversight in the news
SMC Supervisors Strike a Balance on Sheriff Oversight
Following hours of expert, staff and public input on Sheriff’s Office oversight, San Mateo County supervisors backed a model that creates a civilian advisory body, reinstates a public safety and social justice subcommittee, and contracts an inspector general on an as-needed basis.
Oversight in the news
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus is at odds with oversight plan
After initially backing some form of oversight, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus says she opposes a model that features subpoena power, arguing the added bureaucracy will drive away deputies and make recruiting more challenging, ultimately hindering public safety.
Oversight in the news
California counties team up to push for sheriff’s oversight
San Mateo County is among seven counties in the newly formed California Coalition for Sheriff’s Oversight, using Assembly Bill 1185 to ask boards of supervisors to establish oversight.
CCSO in the news
Who Polices the Police?
Monterey County Board of Supervisors hosts a listening session for Sheriff oversight.
Oversight in the news
CCSO Press Release
CCSO launches a statewide effort for civilian oversight of county sheriffs.