Union Criticizes Proposed Review Of RivCo Sheriff's Department

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — An effort to review policing policies of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department is facing opposition from a union that represents several thousand local law enforcement members.

The president of the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association released a statement Monday critical of a proposal by Riverside County Board of Supervisors Chair V. Manuel Perez calling for 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.

"As an independent and elected official, the Sheriff has the duty and responsibility to set and enforce policies in their department, including use of force policies," Monday's statement from RSA President Bill Young read. "The Riverside Sheriff Department Policies are readily available for public review and are posted on the internet. No other entity, including the Board of Supervisors, can enact policy for the Sheriff’s Department."

In response to protests condemning the May 25 in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Tuesday the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is slated to discuss Perez's proposal that, if approved, would require Sheriff Chad Bianco and the county CEO to report back to the board of supervisors within 90 days.

"Law enforcement across the nation and Sheriff Bianco have both condemned the use of force used against George Floyd," Young's statement continued. "The methods and force used by the Minneapolis Officers on George Floyd at the time of his death, are not allowed in Riverside County per existing Riverside County Sheriff’s Department policies.

"The grievances of the protesters need to be heard," the statement continued. "To those who are hurting, we are listening to you; we understand, and we too are hurting. We condemn all forms of racism and unnecessary uses of force. For those whose businesses were impacted by looting, we condemn all forms of looting, whether it happens on Wall Street or Main Street in Riverside County."

Bianco is "committed to building relationships and trust with the community" and the sheriff's department is "accountable all for uses of force," but the RSA said it is not in support of Perez's proposal, according to the statement.

"We cannot support the Motion made by one Supervisor following the death of George Floyd, which demands a review of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department policing policies," the statement read. "While we understand the current spotlight on policing, we do not believe that it is constructive to have a political body demand full-scale policy reviews when they do not have the legal authority to set or change any policy that is reviewed. There is no need to suggest or invent problems that do not exist in the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, however; if something is discovered or brought to light, the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association would eagerly involve themselves in the discussion to find a mutually agreed upon resolution."

The RSA represents approximately 3,500 members from the county's sheriff's department, coroner's bureau, district attorney's office, and probation department.

Related story from The New York Times: How Police Unions Became Such Powerful Opponents to Reform Efforts

Tuesday's board of supervisors meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Click here for more information.