Marin County Press release:
The Marin County public and its Board of Supervisors are about to learn more about a bold step in building community trust, ensuring fair and just law enforcement, and fostering a more open and collaborative relationship between residents and those who serve and protect them.
On Oct. 29, County of Marin staff will present a proposal for a new ordinance to establish a Sheriff’s Office Civilian Oversight Commission and Office of the Inspector General. Ordinance approval at a later meeting would mean the County would comply with state Assembly Bill 1185, which empowers counties to create such oversight measures with subpoena power. AB 1185, which went into effect January 1, 2021, is a law designed to enhance accountability and transparency within law enforcement offices led by elected sheriffs statewide.
The October 29 presentation is the first reading of the ordinance; all county ordinances require a second reading before the Board President can call for a vote, and a second reading cannot occur within five days of the first. The second reading is tentatively planned for November.
If the ordinance is adopted, the Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) would proactively address law enforcement practices in Marin and address individual instances of alleged misconduct. The Commission and Inspector General could independently investigate allegations of misconduct and use its subpoena power to collect evidence, documents and statements by deputies and witnesses when necessary.
The proposed ordinance is the result of extensive teamwork and collaboration, building on community engagement and recommendations led by a Community Outreach Working Group and results from collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office, labor unions, and the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. Establishment of the oversight entities would fulfill a recommendation issued by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury in June 2022. In June 2023, the Supervisors gave staff direction to create a COC and OIG.
In addition, extensive grassroots outreach helped inform the proposed ordinance. In the winter of 2022-23, the working group and County staff created an online survey to gather residents’ experience with deputies and invite constructive feedback. The working group and County staff also held online and in-person listening sessions to develop priorities for Sheriff’s Office oversight and enhanced law enforcement accountability. Nine focus groups were conducted to ensure youth, students, communities of color, and those disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system, including residents in Marin City, Novato, San Rafael and West Marin, could share input to shape oversight models and priorities.
Equity, which includes hearing from those not typically heard in the government process, is one of the Supervisors’ top-priority focus areas. The County of Marin and the Board of Supervisors are committed to establishing an independent community oversight structure for the Sheriff’s Office to cultivate trust, transparency, and accountability. Rooted in robust community engagement, the ordinance reflects an important step toward realizing equitable Sheriff’s Office oversight in Marin.
The October 29 Board meeting begins at 9 AM and the AB 1185 agenda item is tentatively scheduled to be in the afternoon or early evening. The agenda will be posted on the Board’s meetings and agenda webpage on the afternoon of October 24. The County welcomes public participation on all matters. Details about speaking during a Board meeting can be found on the same webpage.
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