AB1185 and the Sheriff’s Oversight - A Closer Look for Santa Cruz
Presenters: Jonathan Gettleman and Elizabeth Caballero
In the wake of the death of George Floyd and other nationally publicized police deaths California passed AB1185. AB1185 encouraged California counties to create independent bodies to oversee the operations of their Sheriff’s Departments. AB1185 also permits those bodies to have the power to compel, through subpoenas, both witness and document production, in the course of the exercise of oversight powers. Through these bodies communities are empowered to learn of and resolve significant areas of conflict between the powers of law enforcement. Communities may thus evaluate how these powers are used and the needs of the people that are subject to them for accountability when those powers are used excessively or in a manner inconsistent with community values.
This presentation will focus primarily on the jail since persons in the jail are completely incapable of independent living and choice-making and because information from the jail is generally unavailable to anyone outside the Sheriff’s Office.
This CLE will address: 1) why the powers of the Sheriff’s office make independent oversight necessary; 2) the origins and legislative history of AB1185, 3) different models of oversight in Counties that have implemented AB1185, 4) problematic and persistent issues specific to the Santa Cruz County Jail as revealed in recent Grand Jury reports, 5) the present state of oversight in our County and its limitations, 6) recent developments in oversight through the Board of Supervisors. This CLE will also provide an opportunity to share opinions and perspectives on the need for independent sheriff’s oversight in Santa Cruz County.
One Unit MCLE General Credit is available.
