Board of Supervisors Strengthen Transparency and Oversight of Sheriff Department’s Engagement in the Joint Regional Intelligence Center

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to ensure independent oversight of the activities of the Sheriff and his department as it relates to the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC). The motion passed 4-to-1 to remove delegated authority from the Sheriff and require the Office of the Inspector General to review and approve items related to the execution of the JRIC’s Homeland Security Grant.

The JRIC is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and public safety agencies to centralize and share intelligence on criminal activities impacting six counties throughout Southern California. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) ability to leverage the JRIC’s power and authority to collect records, data, and information from the public and LASD’s repeated refusal to allow the Office of Inspector General to provide legal oversight has led to the need to protect the civil liberties of residents from the potential abuse of power.

“It is unfortunate that, after many other attempts to ensure proper oversight, this Board must take this step to ensure that the Office of Inspector General has the tools it needs to perform its basic duties,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell. “The Sheriff’s continued refusal to allow this legally required oversight undermines transparency and erodes public trust. Until that changes, this Board must take steps to ensure the Sheriff’s cooperation with independent monitors.”

The motion will allow the OIG to monitor LASD’s activities as it relates to the JRIC on an on-going basis and calls for a 45-day report back of the Sheriff’s usage of JRIC grant funding. The report will include an audit of information and data on County resources dedicated by the Sheriff’s Department to the JRIC.

To read the full motion click here.