Body of News Release
OCTOBER 16 UPDATE: The time of this agenda item is scheduled for 5:30 PM Tuesday, October 29.
San Rafael, CA – The Marin County public and its Board of Supervisors are about to learn more about a bold step in building community trust, ensuring fair and just law enforcement, and fostering a more open and collaborative relationship between residents and those who serve and protect them.
On October 29, County of Marin staff will present a proposal for a new ordinance to establish a Sheriff’s Office Civilian Oversight Commission and Office of the Inspector General. Ordinance approval at a later meeting would mean the County would comply with state Assembly Bill 1185, which empowers counties to create such oversight measures with subpoena power. AB 1185, which went into effect January 1, 2021, is a law designed to enhance accountability and transparency within law enforcement offices led by elected sheriffs statewide.
The October 29 presentation, scheduled for 5:30 PM, is the first reading of the ordinance; all county ordinances require a second reading before the Board President can call for a vote, and a second reading cannot occur within five days of the first. The second reading is tentatively planned for November 5 should the Board approve the first reading.
If the ordinance is adopted, the Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) would proactively oversee law enforcement operations in the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. The Commission and Inspector General may independently receive allegations of misconduct and would have subpoena power to collect evidence when necessary. The COC would have the authority to call for an independent investigation should the COC consider a Sheriff’s Office investigation insufficient.
The proposed ordinance is the result of extensive teamwork and collaboration, building on community engagement and recommendations led by a Community Outreach Working Group and results from collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office, labor unions, and the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. Establishment of the oversight entities would fulfill a recommendation issued by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury in June 2022. In June 2023, the Supervisors gave staff direction to create a COC and OIG.
In addition, extensive grassroots outreach helped inform the proposed ordinance. In the winter of 2022-23, the working group and County staff created an online survey to gather residents’ experience with deputies and invite constructive feedback. The working group and County staff also held online and in-person listening sessions to develop priorities for Sheriff’s Office oversight and enhanced law enforcement accountability. Nine focus groups were conducted to ensure youth, students, communities of color, and those disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system, including residents in Marin City, Novato, San Rafael and West Marin, could share input to shape oversight models and priorities.
Equity, which includes hearing from those not typically heard in the government process, is one of the Supervisors’ top-priority focus areas. The County of Marin and the Board of Supervisors are committed to establishing an independent community oversight structure for the Sheriff’s Office to cultivate trust, transparency, and accountability. Rooted in robust community engagement, the ordinance reflects an important step towards realizing equitable Sheriff oversight in Marin County.
The October 29 Board meeting begins at 9 AM, but the AB 1185 agenda item is scheduled to be heard no earlier than 5:30 PM. The agenda will be posted on the Board’s meetings and agenda webpage on the afternoon of October 24. The County welcomes public participation on all matters. Details about speaking during a Board meeting can be found on the same webpage.
# # #
For disability accommodations, please phone 415-473-7355 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail the Clerk of the Board staff at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.