Community Adds Feedback to Sheriff Oversight Plan
Alameda County residents got one of their last chances to shape a proposed civilian-led program that would provide increased oversight of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and Santa Rita Jail.
The Alameda County Oversight group sponsored the public discussion—the seventh open forum on the matter since last year. Organizers reviewed and asked for feedback on the details of the initial draft ordinance purposed at the July 8, 2021, Public Protection meeting. The 9-page proposal endorses the creation of a Sheriff’s Oversight Board and an Office of the Inspector General; a hybrid system that is tailored to the needs of Alameda County; and a Sheriff’s Oversight Board that is diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the socio and economic demographics of the community.
The draft of the ordinance along with feedback from six previous meetings around the county is expected to be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors next month.
“Members of the Board of Supervisors Public Protection Committee, Chair Richard Valle of
District 1, and District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley, have demonstrated serious interest in the implementation of the recent state law, AB1185, providing for community-based oversight boards and an office of Inspector general, both with subpoena powers. Faith in Action East Bay, Coalition for Police Accountability (CPA), and Interfaith Coalition for Justice In our Jails (ICJJ) have done extensive research,” says Bruce Schmiechen a steering committee member of CPA.
Critics of such an oversight committee cited concerns that the new ordinance would “usurp,” the Sheriff’s ability to address crime, especially in unincorporated areas like San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland, and Castro Valley.
A new state law, AB1185, allows counties to have civilian oversight of sheriff’s departments. County Supervisors had been seeking public input about establishing either a Community Sheriff's Oversight Board and/or an Office of the Inspector General. Supervisor Miley told the Forum earlier this month that he could see the county adopting both options.
The idea of holding ACSO more accountable gained momentum following the murder of George Floyd in June 2020. County Supervisors established a task force at the time to address racial justice and police reform in the county.
Sheriff Greg Ahern and ACSO have come under scrutiny over the last few years following the deaths of prisoners at the Santa Rita Jail and several allegations of misconduct by deputies.
“The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has the highest proportion of inmate deaths and lawsuits in the region,” said Faith in Action East Bay on its Change.org petition page. “The US Department of Justice has found a failure to provide mental health services. The Sheriff has run the jail without transparency and permitted the abuse of detainees. The lack of oversight has cost lives and tax money.”
Critics are also endorsing the roles of the Inspector General and the Oversight Board adding that the program pays legal counsel completely independent of the County Council, as it has multiple conflicts of interest as legal representative of the sheriff and county in civil suits related to Santa Rita and the sheriff.
For more information about the Alameda County Sheriff Oversight process, go to https://acoversight.acgov.org/