Remembering back before the last election there were many concerns regarding activities of the sheriff’s office. A promise by then-candidate Rivero was for a citizen’s review committee to serve as watch dog over the functions and actions of the sheriff’s office. The now-Sheriff Rivero has called for a broader oversight committee than just for the actions of the officers in the performance of their duties and includes expenditures and overall quality of performance.
The establishment of this committee can be one of the most important additions to law enforcement and citizen’s rights since the county was incorporated and should have the participation and support of those that want it done right. This will benefit every resident when there is a controversial issue, both citizens and officers alike. A complaint easily made can either be an insult to good police work or a need for training or new policy. Of course tax dollars, always in short supply, should be spent wisely and defensibly and public employees should not be afraid of shedding light on their performance.
The sheriff proposed keeping the committee independent of the sheriff’s office and asked the county Board of Supervisors (BOS) to both head up forming and over sighting the committee.
One would expect that the direction of the BOS and support of staff would insure a positive result. So far, without even the first meeting in hand, the lack of involvement by the BOS and staff was evident.
Two members of the BOS volunteered to be on the organizing committee, but one quit complaining of lack of direction, presumably aimed at the sheriff. This is curious because it’s a BOS committee established by the BOS to review and develop the sheriff’s request. But possibly the decision to quit was based on a question of bad fit or lack of vision and ultimately a good choice.
Now, very professional county staff have been assigned to the task of helping the exploratory committee establish the model that will be advanced to public hearing. It’s too bad that another supervisor didn’t step up to also help represent citizens in this important business, as this job clearly requires strong skills and lack of conflict as I know others have. But self-selection is likely the best method and it’s hard to second guess motives.
Although it’s not required by law for an ad hoc committee to be publicly noticed, Sheriff Rivero wants everyone who has an interest to attend this “exploratory” committee’s work. It will be publicly noticed by BOS staff for what I hope is the forming of a truly historic citizen’s committee in Lake County.
Those who complain and don’t act are doomed to despair. I hope all Lake County citizens seize this opportunity and make it theirs. This kind of sheriff doesn’t come by very often.
Jim Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., and is one of three citizen members of the exploratory committee.
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
