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Formation of the Civilian Oversight Commission

By involving community members, we created a civilian oversight framework that builds public trust and addresses local needs.

Overview

California Assembly Bill 1185

California Assembly Bill 1185 (AB 1185, January 2021) authorizes California counties to create civilian oversight bodies that investigate and monitor the activities of sheriff’s offices. In June 2022, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury published a report recommending that the Board of Supervisors establish a sheriff oversight board. In their response to the Grand Jury’s report, the Board of Supervisors affirmed their commitment to establishing an independent Civilian Oversight Commission and Office of the Inspector General to cultivate trust, transparency, and accountability.

Community Outreach Working Group

In September 2022, the County convened a Community Outreach Working Group (COWG) made up of Marin residents. The purpose of the COWG was to help educate the community about AB 1185 and find out how the community wanted sheriff’s office oversight to be structured in Marin. The County contracted the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), to support the COWG and provide subject matter expertise on civilian oversight practices. 

Community Outreach and Engagement

The County of Marin hosted three initial community conversations in November 2022 to collect input on residents' lived experiences with law enforcement, priorities for oversight, and strategies to enhance law enforcement accountability. These meetings were conducted via videoconference. It also hosted Focus Groups and conducted Surveys. Click the blue bar below to learn more.

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Community Conversations

Survey and Focus Groups

The County conducted a multilingual survey in December 2022 through January 2023. In addition, the County also conducted nine focus groups in January 2023, focusing on youth, students, communities of color, and those disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system. These efforts aimed to gather feedback on oversight models and priorities.

Survey and Focus Group Summary Findings

Recommendation for Civilian Oversight and Initial Board Direction

After numerous meetings, focus groups, and surveys with the public; the COWG and the Office of Equity presented recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on June 13, 2023.  

The Board agreed to move forward with “Option One” from the Working Group’s recommendations, with minor staff adjustments. This proposal includes creating both a Civilian Oversight Commission and an Office of the Inspector General. 

Related Materials:

Meet and Confer Process

The County and union representatives completed the “meet and confer” process in August 2024, which was a necessary step before the Board of Supervisor could consider adopting the ordinance. In California, government entities must follow the Myers Milias Brown Act (MMBA), which requires them to consult with unions about any decisions that could impact employees’ work conditions before making those decisions. Marin County followed these legally required steps by meeting and conferring with law enforcement unions and carefully considering the interests of all stakeholders.

Related Materials: VIDEO: July 16, 2024 - County Executive Update (starts at 00:59:43)

Board Action

The Board of Supervisors directed the Office of the County Executive to design a Civilian Oversight Commission and an Office of the Inspector General that align with the COWG’s recommendations, best practices from NACOLE, and input from County staff. This framework was formally adopted by the Board on November 5, 2024. It includes:  

  • A nine-member Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) appointed by the Board of Supervisors. This commission is composed of five (5) district representatives and four (4) at-large members.  
  • Creation of an Office of the Inspector General to work collaboratively and provide administrative support to the Civilian Oversight Commission 

Civilian Oversight Commission Recruitment

Recruitment for members of the Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) began in December, 2024, and continued through Febuary/March 2025. In early January 2025, the County launched a countywide outreach and information campaign, to inform the public about the COC – what it does, how it works, and how to get involved. 

To reach as many people as possible, the County worked with local community-based organizations to share information and encourage applications, especially from communities impacted by MCSO policing policies, and from people who might not have been involved with local County government before.  

Click the blue link below to learn more about the Commission Outreach and Recruitment Process.

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Commission Outreach and Recruitment Process

In December 2024, staff began the recruitment of COC applicants. Because equitable representation from all parts of the Marin community is fundamental to the success of the COC, the County developed an outreach strategy that included partnerships with community-based organizations to get the word out, and online information sessions where Marin residents could learn how to apply for the COC, explore the role of a commission in local government, get general information about serving as a commissioner in Marin, and learn more about how the COC will work with the Office of the Inspector General to conduct oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. 

The application period to join the Civilian Oversight Commission was from December 30, 2024, to February 16, 2025. The application process is currently closed.

Past Town Hall Events

Appointment of Commissioners

The selection process for the COC began in the spring of 2025, with District offices reviewing applications and conducting interviews for their respective District seats. Following this process, each District Supervisor submitted their recommendations for nominees for both District positions and At-large term positions. To support the selection of At-Large candidates, an Ad Hoc Subcommittee reviewed the full pool of At-Large candidates and conducted additional interviews to refine the list. The Board of Supervisors interviewed the At-Large candidates and appointed all commission members on June 10, 2025.

 

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Page last updated on January 23, 2026.

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