LASD oversight panel seeks deputy confidential information

The Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission on Thursday requested access to deputies’ confidential information in misconduct cases.

Commissioners voted unanimously to request the Board of Supervisors to enact recommended revisions to the commission’s governing ordinance, changes the commission said are necessary for effective oversight of the sheriff’s department.

According to the commission, the three key changes to the its governing ordinance are:

• gaining access to confidential information that pertains to allegations of deputy misconduct;
• “making it clear that the commission is independent and is expected to act independently in the best interest of the residents of Los Angeles County,” according to a commission statement; and
• requiring the sheriff to explain in writing within 60 days his or her decision to not adopt a commission recommendation.

“The Civilian Oversight Commission cannot perform its oversight role without access to confidential information, which is currently denied to the Commission,” commission Chair Robert C. Bonner said in a statement. “To be truly effective, the independence of the Civilian Oversight Commission needs to be made clear, and we must have access to confidential information.”

The proposed changes aim to bring the commission in line with nationally accepted best principles and practices for civilian oversight of law enforcement, commissioners said.

The revisions would permit commissioners to conduct closed-session hearings that are not open to the public to receive privileged or confidential information, according to the commission. The proposed changes also “clarify that the Commission may review and comment on the adequacy of internal investigations as well as the levels of discipline imposed for misconduct.”

The Board of Supervisors established the commission in 2016 amid calls for greater accountability for law enforcement officers.

“Since then, there have been countless high-profile interactions between the community and law enforcement, most notably the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May 2020,” according to the commission statement. “Civilian oversight of law enforcement has proliferated and evolved across the country, as a result, to more effectively hold law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions and reestablish the community’s trust in law enforcement.”

LA County voters reflected nationwide sentiment when the approved Measure R in 2020, which gave the commission subpoena power the authority to independently investigate the sheriff’s department, according to the commission. This latest request for access to confidential information reflects calls for greater transparency in law enforcement agencies.

The LASD is the largest sheriff’s department in the U.S. with nearly 18,000 sworn and professional staff. In addition to public safety patrols and crime investigation, the department operates the largest jail system in the nation.

It was unclear when the board will respond to the commission’s proposals.

The commissioners’ proposed changes for county supervisors to consider are available for viewing online at https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/COCAdHoc_rev.8-14_pdfPROPOSEDREVISIONStoChapter3.79withPreamblecopy.pdf.