At the same time that the Monterey County Board Supervisors took a stand on immigration policies on July 7, the board agreed to move forward with an independent office of the inspector general with a community advisory committee for the Sheriff’s Office.
The oversight is long overdue. In 2021, Assembly Bill 1185 took effect, which allows counties to create committees to oversee sheriffs and their departments. In 2023, the board created an ad hoc committee—composed of two supervisors, Wendy Root Askew and Glenn Church—to explore options.
Since then, many residents have shown support, including during the July 7 meeting. Some noted this measure hasn’t moved fast enough while others requested civilian oversight.
“I really wanted to be done today,” Stephanie Cooper, an immigrant and Monterey resident, told the board. “We have waited enough. This whole thing started since 2023.”
“It is time to have effective oversight by civilians of the sheriff's department,” said Michelle Welsh, a local attorney, who suggested adding a civilian review panel.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, having oversight of the Sheriff’s Office increases transparency and accountability in the department.
The ad hoc explored five different options with various combinations, including an inspector general hired under contract, and inspector general and a citizen oversight committee and oversight board appointed by the supervisors.
The recommendation was creating an independent office of the inspector general with an estimated price tag of $500,000.
Sheriff Tina Nieto said it was the board's decision whether to approve an inspector general. “I'm not going to resist that,” she added.
The board agreed to approve the inspector general, with Supervisor Kate Daniels adding a community advisory committee.
During the meeting, the board also received an update on the Sheriff’s Office’s financial audit by GGP Analytics. The audit was on pause since staff was focused on the county budget, said Nick Chiulos, chief assistant county administrative officer. Chiulos added the audit started moving forward in late June after meeting with the Sheriff’s Office and the firm.
County staff will receive a report for review this summer followed by a presentation to the board by the end of the year.
(1) comment
The county says they don't have the money to properly repair the roads but they can come up with a half million dollars to create an oversight committee to hover over the Sheriff. It's very suspicious when all this happens after a discussion involving ICE. Monterey County should be communicating and cooperating with ICE. But as is so typical in government today, people don't talk to each other. How sad!
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