To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach
Staff Name and Phone Number: John Alden, 565-8570
Vote Requirement: Informational Only
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) State of the Office Report
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive the IOLERO 2023-2024 Annual Report
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Executive Summary:
The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) was established by county ordinance in 2016, and expanded in 2020 by Measure P. The operational mission of IOLERO is to strengthen the relationship between the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO or Sheriff’s Office) and the community it serves through outreach and the promotion of greater transparency of law enforcement operations.
To accomplish this goal, IOLERO audits certain complaints against the SCSO, directly investigates a smaller set of high-consequence SCSO incidents and makes policy and training recommendations based on those audits and investigations. IOLERO also works with a Community Advisory Council (CAC) to conduct comprehensive community engagement, promote community-driven policy recommendations, support systemic reform, and build community partnership in law enforcement operations.
Today the Board is requested to receive the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 IOLERO Annual Report covering the period from July 2023 - June 2024.
Discussion:
In Fiscal Year 2023-2024, IOLERO delivered on work promised at the end of our last Annual Report: our Whistleblower program launched, we’ve been auditing civil cases, and we worked on independent investigations. We also continued to build our team, increased our training, and added new tools such as an interview room, a complaint tracking database, and internal policies and procedures.
We also audited a record number of cases. Our audits in the jail increased, giving us the ability to highlight some positive changes in jail administration and also note some challenges. We continued to work on recommendations about the canine program and were glad to see some improvements flowing from our work.
In FY 2024-2025, we look forward to bringing onboard our Chief Deputy Law Enforcement Auditor, a new position we were able to add thanks to the support of our County Executive and Board of Supervisors. This new position will allow us to expand the scope of work we’re able to complete. We’re excited to have even more to report next year!
The staff of IOLERO appreciate the support of the community. It is an honor to serve the people of Sonoma County by fostering transparency, accountability, and collaboration between the community and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. We take that responsibility seriously and appreciate the community’s trust in our ability and desire to do this essential work.
Strategic Plan:
N/A.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
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Prior Board Actions:
The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) State of the Office Report, 1/25/22;
The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) State of the Office Report, 3/21/23; and
The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) State of the Office Report, 9/26/23.
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 2023-2024
Attachment II - Sheriff’s Office Response to IOLERO 2023-2024 Annual Report
Attachment III - PowerPoint Presentation
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A