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Virtual Conference on Qualified Immunity:

When Protecting Officers Leaves the Community Vulnerable

Thursday, July 29, 2021 from 9-11am.

You are invited to learn about qualified immunity protections afforded to law enforcement officers. Panel speakers will highlight concerns about holding law enforcement officers accountable for violating people’s civil rights, discuss the obstacles of eliminating qualified immunity, provide an update on what is being done at the state and federal levels, and provide solutions as to what oversight bodies can do. Register now!

 

Register now!

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 Town Hall

Community Crime Rates & Public Safety

On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the Commission hosted a town hall with guest panelists who spoke on changes in community crime rates & public safety, law enforcement crisis response, response time & patrolling in neighborhoods, parks & transit and other public safety issues.

Speakers included: Lael Rubin, Civilian Oversight Commission Chair & Former Deputy District Attorney; April Tardy, Chief, Central Patrol Division, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (Presentation); Rob Jones, Captain, Operation Safe Streets, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Brant A. Putnam, M.D., Chief, Division of Trauma, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Department of Health Services; Andrea Welsing, Director, Office of Violence Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Presentation); Dr. Michael J.T. Fisher, Pastor of the Greater Zion Church Family; and Casimiro U. Tolentino, Commission Vice-Chair & Former Administrative Law Judge for the State of California. Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

 

Virtual Town Hall

Law Enforcement Interactions with People Who Have Mental Health Conditions or Developmental Disabilities

On Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Commission held a Town Hall on interactions with people who have mental health conditions or developmental disabilities. This event is created a safe space for leaders and community members to provide feedback about law enforcement crisis response to incidents involving people who have mental health conditions or developmental disabilities; public safety needs of, and law enforcement efforts to serve these community members and their families; and ideas to reduce negative interactions or improve outcomes of these exchanges, among other concerns.

Speakers included: Lael Rubin, Civilian Oversight Commission Chair & Former Deputy District Attorney; Pietro “Piero” D’Ingillo, Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Services Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; Mark Gale, Criminal Justice Chair, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Los Angeles County; Judy Mark, co-founder and President, Disability Voices United; Casimiro U. Tolentino, Civilian Oversight Commission Vice Chair & Former Administrative Law Judge for the State of California; & Brian K. Williams, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

Resources:  National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sampling of Programs PDF

 

Virtual Conference Part 1

Money: How is L.A. County’s Public Safety Budget Prioritized?

On Thursday, April 1, 2021, the Commission held Part 1 of the conference on public safety budgets where subject matter experts from the County described the budget process, their department's public safety budget priorities and highlighted opportunities for community feedback. Speakers included: Lael Rubin, Commission Chair & Former Deputy District Attorney; Casimiro U. Tolentino, Commission Vice Chair, Former Administrative Law Judge for the State of California; and L.A. County representatives: Chief Executive Office Senior Manager Sheila Williams; Sheriff’s Department Administrative Services Division Director Conrad Meredith; Sheriff’s Department Personnel Division Commander John McBride; Mental Health's Director Jonathan E. Sherin; and Probation's Administrative Deputy Robert Smythe.  Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

 

Virtual Conference Part 2

Money: Community Voices on L.A. County Public Safety Spending
On Thursday, April 8, 2021, the Commission held Part 2 of the conference on public safety brought together community and County leaders, academics, law enforcement professionals and members of the public to highlight communities’ thoughts on the L.A. County budget process and public safety budget priorities. Speakers included: Lael Rubin, Commission Chair & Former Deputy District Attorney; James P. Harris, Civilian Oversight Commission member & Former Sheriff’s Lieutenant; Greg Hellmold, Auditor-Controller Office of County Investigations; Jody David Armour, Professor of Law, University of Southern California; Harry Leon, Crescenta Valley Town Council President; and Ivette Alé, Dignity and Power Now. Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

 

 

Virtual Town Hall

Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Use of Force

On Thursday, March 4, 2021, the Commission held a Town Hall on Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Use of Force to hear about residents' experience with deputies & how they feel about public safety in their communities. Speakers included: Lael Rubin, Civilian Oversight Commission Chair & Former Deputy District Attorney; Casimiro U. Tolentino, Civilian Oversight Commission Vice Chair & Former Administrative Law Judge for the State of California; Patti Giggans, Civilian Oversight Commissioner & Executive Director of Peace Over Violence; John Raphling, Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch; and V. Jesse Smith, Senior Pastor of The Way Center of Truth, Inc. & founder of Heights of Greatness Leadership Institute. Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

 

 

Virtual Conference

Enhancing Accountability: Improving the Law Enforcement Officer Discipline Process

On Thursday, February 25, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission hosted a virtual conference that brought together community partners, elected officials, law enforcement professionals & members of the public to discuss law enforcement misconduct, discipline & the potential for accountability reform. Play the video below or view the Webex recording.

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
 

 

 

 

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.