WHEREAS transparency and accountability are fundamental principles of a just and equitable society, and law enforcement agencies play a critical role in maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law, and existing California law authorized each county to create an oversight board; and
WHEREAS recent incidents and concerns regarding the conduct of some law enforcement personnel have demonstrated the necessity of independent oversight, and not all counties have established an oversight board; and
WHEREAS the Office of Inspector General can provide independent and impartial oversight, conduct investigations, and make recommendations to improve the performance, integrity, and professionalism of law enforcement agencies, and Oversight Committees can provide additional layers of accountability and community input, ensuring that law enforcement agencies are responsive to the needs and concerns of the communities they serve, and both have proven to be an effective means of ensuring accountability and promoting trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, in counties such as Los Angeles County and Orange County;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Riverside County Democratic Party proposes establishing an independent Office of Inspector General and Oversight Committees for law enforcement agencies in each of the counties of California that have NOT YET established an oversight board to ensure transparency, accountability, and trust between law enforcement and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Inspector General and the Oversight Committees be adequately funded and staffed to carry out their duties effectively, ensuring their independence and autonomy, the Office of Inspector General and the Oversight Committees have the authority to access relevant information, including personnel records, incident reports, and other documents necessary for their investigations and oversight activities, and to facilitate the passage of this resolution into active legislation, copies will be sent to the Governor, the State Legislature, the Attorney General, the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, and all relevant county Boards of Supervisors, urging them to support and act upon these recommendations.
Author(s): Nathan Kempe, AD 58
Sponsored By: Riverside County Democratic Party
