LA County Board of Supervisors Call for Enhanced Student Protections Amid Disturbing Reports of Racial Bias in School Policing

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District, and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, representing the First District, to draft an ordinance granting the Probation Oversight Commission (POC), a civilian oversight body, authority to receive and refer complaints related to school law enforcement services provided by School Resource Deputies (SRDs). The proposed ordinance would establish an independent process for receiving and referring complaints, ensuring transparency, accountability, and protection of students and families. 

“Disturbing reports of racial bias in school policing make painfully clear the need for stronger protections for students and families who are often afraid to file a complaint about their experiences with school law enforcement,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Creating a process that is safe, responsive, and independent of the department that complaints are made against is an important step towards stronger accountability.”

“Creating a system for students to complain to an independent entity, like the Probation Oversight Commission, creates trust and transparency,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis, who co-authored the motion. “I believe having this accountability tool will help with underreporting of misconduct and will offer protections for all parties.”

A recent analysis of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) data highlights troubling evidence of bias and disproportionate criminalization of Black students who have come into contact with LASD’s SRDs in certain schools, with similar biases being found Countywide, disproportionately impacting Black and Hispanic students including through arrest and citation. Suspension rates for Black students in SRD contract schools exceed statewide averages and there are alarming instances of SRDs having contact with children as young as 5 and 7.

Students also recently shared concerning feedback with the Human Relations Commission’s (HRC) Transformative Justice team about their experiences with SRDs. A report by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) highlighted that most interviewed students expressed a negative view of SRDs, feeling intimidated, targeted, and experiencing aggressive interactions. A student lawsuit alleging excessive force and harassment by an SRD further illustrates why students feel unsafe making a complaint.

Today’s motion instructs County Counsel to draft an amending ordinance that creates a process, independent of the Sheriff’s Department, for referring complaints related to school law enforcement services, to be implemented by the POC. While the POC will be able to refer complaints, it would not be authorized to conduct investigations or discipline Sheriff’s Department personnel.

The motion also instructs the Executive Director of the POC to organize a public meeting for presenting and receiving public comments on the draft ordinance. This motion also requires a biannual regular report on complaints, especially as it pertains to any data that may indicate racial, disability, and other types of bias.

To read the full motion, click here.