On Tuesday, I addressed the Board of Supervisors to voice my support for the establishment of the Office of Independent Review. This oversight mechanism has evolved over many months and required the time and attention of several members of our staff as well as staff from the Board. What was once a hastily developed form of “civilian review” that not even other members of the Board of Supervisors could support has now become a workable, responsible model similar to the Office of Independent Review in Los Angeles.
Transparency is essential to our operation, as it provides members of the media, the public, and government officials an unobstructed view “inside” our jails, patrol cars and investigations. The International Association of Chiefs of Police released a publication in September 2006 entitled, Protecting Civil Rights. In the executive summary they write, “Unlike any other profession, the possibility of violating civil rights, or being perceived as violating civil rights, is inherent in many of the duties officers are required to perform on a daily basis.” We encounter such perceptions every day we open up a newspaper or listen to a public official. Transparency offers our community the opportunity to see so that they may truly believe that 99.9 percent of the men and women in law enforcement are professional, ethical individuals who perform a difficult job every day.
On February 26, the Board of Supervisors will once again read the ordinance establishing an Office of Independent Review. After discussion and public comment they will hold a vote to adopt the ordinance and direct county staff to move forward. The Office of Independent Review is a healthy addition to our transparent operation as this will be one additional tool to showcase your tremendous talent and professionalism in the work you do to keep Orange County safe each and every day.
Click below to view Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson's address to the board:
And here's a link to the Acting Sheriff's letter to the Orange County Register on the Office of Independent Review.