Supervisors decline to vote on motion to review Sheriff’s Department policies

The Board of Supervisors declined to vote on a proposal that would review the policies for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. No supervisors seconded Chairman V. Manuel Perez's motion.

Perez announced the proposal on Friday, in the wake of George Floyd's death, and unrest across the nation. Thousands are demanding an end to police brutality as a period of protesting has surpassed 2 weeks.

Perez's proposal would have called for Sheriff Chad Bianco to meet with County CEO George Johnson to review of the department's practices and policies related to policing, policy and oversight including use-of-force, community policing and crime reduction, training and education, officer and community wellness and safety.

"I saw a man that was killed right there on the street on video while nobody intervened-- while a cop was sitting on top of him. That hurt everything I am, as a law enforcement officer and us as a law enforcement community, as we all watch that you will not find one law enforcement officer in this country that would stand behind what they did," Sheriff Bianco said.

Bianco and the Riverside Sheriff's Association pointed out that the department's policies are available to view publicly online.

Click here to view the Sheriff's Department policies

He backed the department, saying it is 'completely' transparent.

"If there is an ongoing personnel issue or complaint, we’re investigating a complaint,  we obviously can’t comment on those types of things," Bianco said.

Fifth District Supervisor Jeff Hewitt, who noted he would vote on Perez's proposal, said this wasn't just about the department's policies, but also about transparency.

"And that's how many officers we've had with accusations in the past, recently and how many are still on the force," Supervisor Hewitt said. "There's gonna be some very hard things to look at and that's what we'll be looking at going forward."

Bianco discussed the motion with Supervisors.

"It's not your job to tell me what to do," Bianco said.

Several people showed up to the meeting for public comment. One woman who opposed the proposal said, “It casts an unfair, negative light on our sheriff’s department and gives an impression that something is wrong with the policy.”

Another community member in favor of the review said, “This doesn’t have to be divisive. This can actually be a bridge to building relationships between the community and the sheriff who police the communities.”

County Counsel noted before that the supervisors are able to bring forth their concerns over the operations of the Sheriff's Department and the conduct of its employees. The decision is still ultimately up to the Sheriff to work with the county CEO suggestion if he so chose.

Bianco acknowledged that he has failed in not forming an advisory council.

"Shame on me for not having formed this commission already," Bianco told News Channel 3. "It should have been a priority. Other things that went on in the department, the community and everything else have prevented me from moving forward with it."

He told the board he wanted to form a council with members of the community that had concerns about law enforcement policies. Bianco said he did not want politicians, activists, or attorneys on this advisory council. He said he would listen to recommendations by the Supervisors. He stated that he would rather have pastors, and leaders of the community.

"The intent is to involve the community," Bianco said. "..and to appease you (Supervisors), I will let you suggest names. You will not tell me who is going to be on it."

Bianco said he did not want to continue to draw the discussion into the board for weeks or months. That's according to the motion, which proposed to have the review submitted within 90 days.

Supervisor Hewitt called for a report back from Bianco on July 7.

“Seeing that there is no second to my motion, my motion, item 2.3 dies a slow death," Perez said.