Report: LA County Civilian Review Panel Working Well

H/T to the Moorlach Update for hipping me to this article in today's LA Times about a report from the LA County CEO on the Office of Independent Review:

The Office of Independent Review, which oversees investigations into alleged misconduct by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies, does a good job of making sure internal investigations and discipline are fair and has increased public confidence in the department, according to a report by the county executive.

The Board of Supervisors ordered the review last month after agreeing to spend more than $3 million to fund the unit for the next three years. The office is staffed by civil rights attorneys who consult with internal affairs investigators and make recommendations about discipline and training.

 

Supervisors sought the review at the request of the union that represents sheriff's deputies. Steve Remige, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriffs, had told supervisors that he thought the department was already well monitored and that the money it spends on the review team could be better used to hire additional deputies.

The county report, released this week, concluded that the oversight group provides a valuable service to the county, including reducing liability to potential civil lawsuits by recommending training for deputies and by ensuring that deputies who violate policy are appropriately disciplined.

"By having the OIR monitor the department's actions, LASD personnel are more cognizant to follow departmental policy," according to the report by county Chief Executive Officer William T. Fujioka.

You can read the rest of the article -- which is relevant to the ongoing debate in OC over establishing a Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board sought by Sup. John Moorlach -- here.

Comments

[Green Machine]

Much of what LA County's OIR does is already occurring with Risk Management and County Counsel in Orange County. The OIR doesn't actually investigate incidents. LASO still does their own investigation and then submits their findings to the OIR. There's very little of substance that this organization does that Orange County doesn't already have. What it really accomplishes is to provide a false impression that there is an "independant" organization investigating police misconduct. Its a great smoke screen and public relations tool, but lets find out what they really accomplish before we heap too much praise on the this so called oversight committee.

Have they ever independantly investigated the conduct of an LA deputy? When was the last time they reviewed an investigation and reversed the findings of the department's internal investgative findings?

If Supervisor Moorlach wants transparency then this isn't the answer. Its only another feel good bureaucracy. However it does give him headlines in the Orange County Register who actively supports the idea and is more than willing to put his name/face in the headlines. Maybe that's the real story here.

[Michael Lhevan]

David Maggard of the Irvine PD should be in State Prison.