Sheriff Department's Use Of Lethal Force Poised For Review: RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — In the wake of the in-custody death of George Floyd — which has sparked protests around the nation and world — the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is slated to discuss policing policies of the sheriff's department.

On Tuesday, Board Chair V. Manuel Perez will ask his colleagues to support an initiative that directs the Riverside County Executive Office and Sheriff Chad Bianco to coordinate a review of the sheriff department's policing practices, as well as policy and oversight, including use of force, community policing and crime reduction, training and education, and officer and community wellness and safety, according to the board agenda. If approved, the CEO and sheriff will be asked to report back within 90 days, the agenda shows. The item also recommends that county staff and the sheriff’s department engage with the public through community forums.

Perez will also seek the board's support in a resolution condemning the in-custody death of Floyd — in which four former Minneapolis officers have now been charged.

Perez is also sending a letter to local leadership to support the fight against racism, he said.

“It is important that we recognize that racism does exist and it is our duty to ensure that all members of the public are treated fairly, equitably, and free from discrimination and social injustice,” Perez said. “We need a vaccine, a cure, to racism and the pandemic, and that can come by being empathetic and listening to each other and working on all levels as community members and policymakers to create change in a positive way.”

The text of the resolution and review proposal can be found on the board agenda, as items 3.22 and 3.23, respectively here.