To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Informational Report on the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Oversight Work Group
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and file the report.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
On July 23, 2024, your Board received a report from staff with proposed responses to the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury's Fiscal Year 2023-24 report titled, "Humboldt County Sheriff's Office: Is a Lack of Oversight Due to a Lack of Foresight?" Your Board approved responses to this report including the responses to the following recommendations:
* By Dec. 31, 2025, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors enact a county ordinance pursuant to Government Code section 25303.7 to create and fund a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Civilian Oversight Board with subpoena power and subject to the Brown Act.
* By Dec. 31, 2025, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, pursuant to Government Code section 25303.7, create and fund a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office of Inspector General with subpoena power.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 25303, the Board of Supervisors has a statutory duty to supervise the conduct of all county officers, which includes elected officials such as the Sheriff, and see that they faithfully perform their duties. That same code states that Board shall not obstruct the investigatory functions of the Sheriff. Additionally, California Government Code Section 25303.7, which went into effect in January 2021, entrusts Boards of Supervisors with discretion to provide for oversight of the county Sheriff by creating an Oversight Board, an Inspector General or both.
Regarding the Grand Jury's recommendations, your Board ...
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