Supervisors Advance Independent Oversight Structure, Funding for Moorland Neighborhood Park, and Roseland Mural Project

On July 28, 2015, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors received an update on implementation of recommendations developed by the Community and Local Law Enforcement (CALLE) Task Force, released in May of this year. The update included highlights on the progress of the twenty CALLE Task Force recommendations, including both an interim and ongoing model for establishing an oversight body, progress towards development of the Moorland Neighborhood Park, and a pilot mural project to be introduced in Roseland.

The Board's discussion focused on their highest priority recommendation - the establishment of an independent oversight organization to be led by an independent auditor. At the Board's direction, staff will immediately engage in the development of a job description and other staffing recommendations in order to launch the recruitment.  Additionally, the Board approved $500k of the $2.6 million recently allocated for implementation of the CALLE Task Force recommendations, specifically for development of the Moorland Neighborhood Park, and supported staff efforts to leverage the Roseland Neighborhood Development Plan's public art component as a way to implement a pilot mural program in Roseland.  The majority of the remaining Task Force recommendations were supported by the Board, acknowledging that some can be integrated within existing departments, with appropriate funding, or will become the responsibility of the independent auditor.

"Presenting their final report to the Board in May, the Community and Local Law Enforcement Task Force members worked diligently for a year and a half, to develop detailed recommendations for the Board's consideration" said Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin. "As we implement the office of the independent auditor, we will again call on some members who remain passionate about the successful implementation of the independent auditor model for law enforcement oversight to work with staff to bring these ideas to reality."

 "I want to thank the Community and Local Law Enforcement Task Force for their dedicated service, and the seriousness with which they undertook their charge," commented District 5 Supervisor Efren Carrillo. "The County is committed to hearing from the community in every step and supporting these efforts as recommended by the Task Force."

The CALLE Task Force was established on December 3, 2013, following the Andy Lopez tragedy, to review options and make recommendations for law enforcement account ability, community policing and community engagement and healing. It has three subcommittees: Law Enforcement Accountability, Community Policing, and Community Engagement and Healing.

The complete Final Report containing the details of each of the recommendations is available at http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Community-and-Local-Law-Enforcement-Task-Force/Final-Recommendations/ . Staff will return to the Board in August and over the next several months to update on additional Task Force recommendations, timelines, and budget estimates.