The county’s stand against police abuse is noteworthy, but it needs to do more than pass symbolic statements.
Orange County supervisors recently adopted a resolution that proclaims “its solidarity with those who protest peacefully against injustice, racism and hate in Orange County.” The county’s stand against police abuse is noteworthy, but it needs to do more than pass symbolic statements.
In San Diego County, for instance, supervisors are mulling a “duty to intervene” rule that requires officers to intervene when colleagues are engaged in wrongdoing as well as new policies that govern police interactions with homeless people. They may give more power to the independent board that oversees police misconduct.
Boards of supervisors have limited authority when it comes to sheriffs’ department practices, but they have a number of reform tools at their disposal.
