As of 2021, more than 160 oversight agencies operate in cities and counties around the nation, according to an assessment from the Council on Criminal Justice’s Task Force on Policing. The prevalence of civilian oversight has grown significantly since 1975, when only five agencies existed nationwide, according to NACOLE. Data published by the United States Department of Justice showed that, while most oversight agencies (78%) experienced high engagement with their law enforcement executives, the rates of action differed across jurisdictions, with less than half (46%) believing that law enforcement frequently implemented the recommendations. Limited quantitative research has been conducted assessing the effectiveness of civilian oversight boards, which follow different models with varying degrees of authority, according to a recent report published by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). “We believe there are members on the board who see value in this, want to explore it further and are willing to have dialogue about it,” said Patton. While no supervisors have expressed public support, the organizers are hopeful. Both the board and the inspector general would have independent subpoena power and would issue public reports as well as review and recommend policies. The goal is to establish a board that would coordinate with an official inspector general, who would “investigate incidents of excessive force, deaths in custody, and racial profiling trends,” according to their website. He referenced the Taser-related deaths of three San Mateo County men in 2018, including Chinedu Valentine Okobi, a 36-year-old Black man who was stopped by sheriff's deputies while walking in Millbrae and died after being Tasered, beaten and pepper sprayed. “Would the three unarmed people of color tasered to death still be alive?” he asked.įixin’ San Mateo County has been meeting regularly since May 2021 and officially launched its campaign on March 26. “What if our Board of Supervisors had recognized the need and installed a civilian oversight board and inspector general’s office five years ago?” Lawrence wondered. Members of Fixin' San Mateo County rally at the Board of Supervisors meeting. During the brief rally, Fixin’ San Mateo County Board Chair Jim Lawrence, Belmont resident and activist Trina Patton and Reverend Ben Meyers spoke. Roughly ten residents from as far as Pacific and Half Moon Bay gathered outside the Hall of Justice in downtown Redwood City for an in-person press conference preceding the event. Latino residents also made up a disproportionately high percentage of police killings. The publication further reported that, during District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe’s decade-long tenure, none of the 52 officers who were involved in a total of 19 fatal use-of-force cases were charged.In 2020, the Bay Area News Group analyzed data that revealed that, while Black residents make up 7% of the total population of San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties, they accounted for 27% of those killed by police in the same region since 2015. “It will support effective policing, ensure transparency and greater accountability, and it will save taxpayers money and help to build a more positive relationship between the community and the sheriff's office.”Ī 2020 investigation by the Half Moon Bay Review found that fewer than 10% of use-of-force cases in San Mateo County went to trial. “It will protect civil rights,” she added. Independent and effective civilian oversight is common sense, good government,” North Fair Oaks resident and FxSMC member Becca Kieler said during the public comment. “Currently, the sheriff's office reports to no one. Sixteen members of Fixin’ San Mateo County, a local grassroots organization, whose goal is to create civilian oversight of the sheriff’s office and establish a county inspector general, spoke during Tuesday’s Board meeting, urging the supervisors to pass an ordinance to do just that. Residents from throughout San Mateo County are calling on the Board of Supervisors to enact greater checks and balances on the power of the county sheriff’s office.
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