SUBJECT
Title
CITIZENS’ LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD RULES AND REGULATIONS UPDATE (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
San Diego County voters established the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) in 1990 to provide independent investigation and oversight of the Sheriff and Probation Departments. CLERB currently consists of eleven volunteer board members, supported by eight County of San Diego staff. According to CLERB’s Rules and Regulations, amendments, once approved by a majority vote of CLERB, are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Today’s action requests approval of amendments to CLERB’s Rules and Regulations to add an additional training for CLERB members and to grant the Executive Officer authority to fill staff positions.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Approve the amendment of CLERB’s Rules and Regulations to add an additional diversity and inclusion and implicit, or unconscious bias, training for CLERB members; and to grant the Executive Officer authority to fill staff positions.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with these recommendations. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board voted to approve the revised CLERB Rules and Regulations at the April 13, 2021 CLERB meeting.
BACKGROUND
San Diego County voters established the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) in 1990 to provide independent investigation and oversight of the Sheriff and Probation Departments. CLERB is composed of eleven volunteer board members nominated by the County's Chief Administrative Officer and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. In addition to the volunteer board members, eight County employees support CLERB: an executive officer, one senior investigator, five investigators and an administrative professional. CLERB has the power to subpoena witnesses and evidence for use in its investigations and employs its own independent investigators. CLERB provides an annual report, which summarizes the cases investigated, the policy recommendations made and tracking of the types of complaints received.
As part of ongoing improvements to operations, CLERB reviewed its Rules and Regulations and determined that two additional changes needed to be made. The first is an additional training for CLERB members in diversity and inclusion and implicit, or unconscious, bias. This recommendation came directly from members of the public in response to a nationwide deaths of minority group members as the result of law enforcement shootings. These shootings and concerns about systemic racism in the criminal justice system emphasize the need for diversity and inclusion, and implicit bias training for CLERB members. The second is to clarify and give the Executive Officer authority to fill staff positions without needing CLERB approval. The Executive Officer currently is trusted with and has the authority to manage and discipline all staff positions, in addition to selecting specific candidates to fill vacant staff positions. Requiring CLERB’s approval of the selected candidates only serves to further delay the hiring process and, thus, the provision of timely civilian oversight services.
CLERB voted to approve these amendments at the April 13, 2021 CLERB meeting. According to CLERB’s Rules and Regulations, amendments, once approved by a majority vote of CLERB, are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Operational Excellence Strategic Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan by creating a better trained board and increasing efficiencies in CLERB staff operations.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - CLERB Rules and Regulations Clean
Attachment B - CLERB Rules and Regulations Informational
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET
REQUIRES FOUR VOTES: ☐ Yes ☒ No
WRITTEN DISCLOSURE PER COUNTY CHARTER SECTION 1000.1 REQUIRED
☐ Yes ☒ No
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PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS: N/A |
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BOARD POLICIES APPLICABLE: N/A |
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BOARD POLICY STATEMENTS: N/A |
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MANDATORY COMPLIANCE: N/A |
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ORACLE AWARD NUMBER(S) AND CONTRACT AND/OR REQUISITION NUMBER(S): N/A |
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ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board |
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OTHER CONCURRENCE(S): |
N/A |
CONTACT PERSON(S):
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Paul R. Parker III, CLERB Executive Officer |
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Name |
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Name |
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(619) 238-6766 |
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Phone |
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Phone |
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Paul.Parker@sdcounty.ca.gov |
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E-mail |
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E-mail |