Civilian Oversight Commission

Review the July 1, 2022 Special Hearing on Deputy Gangs

Watch the July 1, 2022 video, and view the written public comments submitted.

WELCOME TO THE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT COMMISSION

On January, 12, 2016 the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to implement a Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission with the mission to improve public transparency and accountability with respect to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Commission is comprised of nine members representing the Board, with four members of the Commission recommended by community and other affiliated groups. The cornerstone of the Commission’s work is community engagement and such engagement is encouraged and valued. The Office of the Inspector General and its staff will work closely with the Commission and shall be accountable for investigations.

Commendations or complaints concerning the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department will be handled by the Office of the Inspector General. To make a commendation or complaint, please click below.

File a Commendation or Complaint

Virtual Conference

Qualified Immunity: When Protecting Officers Leaves the Community Vulnerable

On Thursday, July 29, 2021, the Commission hosted a virtual conference for the community to learn about qualified immunity protections afforded to law enforcement officers. Across the United States, law enforcement officers have been accused of committing numerous bad acts. When private citizens attempted to take the officers to court, their cases are most often dismissed. In most instances, this is because of the court-made doctrine of qualified immunity. In this conference, panel speakers explained what qualified immunity is and how it functions. The panelists highlighted concerns about holding law enforcement officers accountable for violating people’s civil rights and discussed the obstacles of eliminating qualified immunity. Panelists also provided an update on what is being done at the state and federal level to eliminate qualified immunity and provide solutions as to what oversight bodies can do to assist in the fight to hold law enforcement officers accountable.

The event was moderated by Priscilla Ocen, Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission Chair & Professor of Law at Loyola Law School and Brian K. Williams, Esq. Executive Director of the Commission. Speakers included Joanna Schwartz, Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law (presentation); James Wheeler, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) President; John Raphling, Human Rights Watch Senior Researcher on Criminal Justice for the U.S. program; and Timothy K. Talbot, Attorney at Law, Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver. Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

Learn about past Commission conferences here.

Virtual Community Listening Session:

L.A. County's Family Assistance Program

Hosted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Office of Violence Prevention & the L.A. County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission

On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, community members joined a virtual community listening session regarding the Family Assistance Program, which supports families following a fatal use of force or death while in the custody of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. The program aims to improve communication between County Departments and families of the decedents through compassionate communication and trauma-informed responses, services, and support to families, friends, and witnesses following an in-custody death or fatal use of force. The Family Assistance Program has provided services to families since August of 2019 under the Department of Mental Health and is in transition to the Department of Public Health's Office of Violence Prevention. Community feedback was voluntary and assists in the improvement of the program. Panel speakers included Patti Giggans, Civilian Oversight Commissioner and Peace Over Violence Executive Director; Andrea Welsing, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Office of Violence Prevention Director; Wendy Blanco, Peace Over Violence Counseling Services and Trauma Recovery Director. Watch the Facebook video below or view the Webex recording.

Learn about past town halls here.

Civilian Oversight Commission

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission is authorized by Chapter 3.79 of the Los Angeles County Code. The purpose of the Commission is to improve public transparency and accountability with respect to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, by providing robust opportunities for community engagement, ongoing analysis and oversight of the department's policies, practices, procedures, and advice to the Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff's Department and the public.

Code of Ordinances: Chapter 3.79

Confronting COVID-19

The Civilian Oversight Commission is conducting virtual meetings until further notice. For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in L.A. County click here.

covid19.lacounty.gov

Tweets by LACountyCOC

Family Impact Remarks

At each Commission meeting, there is allotted time for the families who have lost loved ones due to a fatal use of force by the Sheriff’s Department to speak. To submit a request, please review the Family Impact Remarks procedure and email cocnotify@coc.lacounty.gov.

Learn more.