Riverside Sheriff’s Association opposes Supervisor’s proposal for policy review
The Riverside Sheriff's Association, which represents employees from the Riverside Sheriff's and Probation Departments and the District Attorney's Office, released a statement voicing its opposition to Chairman of the Board of Supervisors V. Manuel Perez's proposal to review the department policies.
Chairman Perez announced he was going to bring up a number of policy proposals that seek to fight racism and evaluate policing during Tuesday's board of supervisors meeting.
If Perez's proposal is approved, the Riverside County Executive Office and the Sheriff's Department would conduct a review of the county's policing policies. The review would include policing, policy and oversight, use of force, community policing and crime reduction, training and education, and officer and community wellness & safety.
A report would be made in 90 days.
The statement, written by Bill Young, president of the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association, points out that the Sheriff is an elected position, and it thus accountable to voters, not political officials or boards.
"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," Young writes. "No other entity, including the Board of Supervisors, can enact policy for the Sheriff’s Department."
Young writes that the RSA cannot support Perez's motion "without any reference to any policy that creates issues."
Young echoed Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in condemning the use of force that led to the death of George Floyd. Both noted that the methods and force are not allowed in Riverside County per the department's policies.
"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," Young writes.
Young continued, "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."
Young noted that the Riverside County Sheriff's Department policies are available for public review online.
Click here to view the department's policies
Young's Full Statement:
