To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO)
Staff Name and Phone Number: Matthew Chavez, 565-1508
Vote Requirement: Informational Only
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) Presentation of 2025-2026 Annual Report and Pivot Consulting Group Triennial Audit Report
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive the IOLERO 2025-2026 Annual Report and Pivot Consulting Group Triennial Audit Report.
end
Executive Summary:
The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) was established in 2016, and expanded in 2020 by Measure P, to strengthen the relationship between the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and the community. IOLERO promotes transparency in law enforcement operations by auditing SCSO investigations, independently reviewing critical incidents, and working with the Community Advisory Council (CAC) to promote community engagement. IOLERO’s history and related documents can be viewed at: <https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/independent-office-of-law-enforcement-review-and-outreach/who-we-are>.
Measure P requires an audit of IOLERO’s operations at least once every three years. The first triennial audit was completed by Pivot Consulting Group for the period 2022-2025 and is being presented along with the 2025-2026 Annual Report.
Discussion:
Triennial Audit
The first audit of IOLERO’s operations, as required under Measure P, was conducted this past calendar year by third-party consultant, Pivot Consulting Group. The Triennial Audit found that during 2022-2025, IOLERO successfully established civilian law enforcement oversight in Sonoma County as provided in Measure P. The audit made several recommendations for augmenting IOLERO’s operations going forward, as summarized below:
• Increase communication with SCSO regarding access to information.
• Earlier/more frequent communication/coordination with SCSO throughout an investigation.
• Develop procedures to support consistent application of audit expectations.
• Expand professional engagement between IOLERO and SCSO Staff at all levels.
• Expand jail oversight.
IOLERO will use these audit findings to develop a work plan to guide the next several years of operations. The County is currently recruiting for the next permanent IOLERO Director, who will be responsible for developing and implementing this audit response work plan.
2025-2026 Annual Report:
During FY 25-26 IOLERO received 71 cases from SCSO for auditing and completed 66 audits (both numbers doubled from last year) and issued its report of its investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of David Pelaez-Chavez. IOLERO also received 48 public submissions that were identified as complaints for investigation, 6 that were classified as grievances, 3 that did not involve SCSO and were referred to other jurisdictions, and 3 that were addressed without investigation. IOLERO received an additional 130 communications on non-complaint matters or issues involving other agencies. Data also showed increasing agreement between IOLERO and SCSO on the outcome of audited cases (now above 90%), a consistent trend dating back to 2022 when IOLERO began implementing Measure P.
However, IOLERO finished FY 25-26 with a backlog of 51 cases, which is 2 more than last year. IOLERO was also able to conduct audits in a timely manner in 71% of the matters (the same percentage as SCSO). Clearing the backlog and accelerating audit completion is a priority for IOLERO in FY 26-27.
Separately, an appeals court held that IOLERO had authority to issue subpoenas in “whistleblower” cases against the Sheriff’s Office thereby ending that litigation. IOLERO will be moving forward on the “whistleblower” matters and is also working on one independent investigative review which should be completed in FY 26-27.
The IOLERO Community Advisory Council (CAC) remained active during FY 25-26, reviewing SCSO’s canine policy, monitoring SCSO’s development of a Racial and Identify Profiling Act (RIPA) policy, and engaging in community awareness on immigration enforcement. The CAC also expanded and sought community participation in its ad hoc committees per its 2026 Work Plan.
In sum, IOLERO has successfully developed a civilian law enforcement oversight process in Sonoma County under Measure P, data from FY 25-26 operations confirms the increasing effectiveness of this program, and IOLERO is positioned to augment its core civilian oversight structure by implementing additional Measure P authorities in a deliberative manner.
Strategic Plan:
N/A.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
N/A.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There are no budget impacts associated with this item.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
There are no staffing impacts associated with this item.
Attachments:
Attachment I - IOLERO Annual Report 2025-2026
Attachment II - Sheriff’s Office Response to IOLERO Annual Report 2025-2026
Attachment III - IOLERO Presentation on Annual Report 2025-2026
Attachment IV - Pivot Consulting Group Triennial Audit Report
Attachment V - IOLERO Statement Regarding Pivot Consulting Triennial Audit Report
Attachment VI - Pivot Consulting Group Presentation on Triennial Audit Report
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.