LAKE COUNTY — Sheriff Frank Rivero brought a request before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday seeking to form an exploratory committee to be tasked with the creation of an Office of Quality Assurance for the Lake County Sheriff”s Office. The request was unanimously granted and interested applicants will be sought.
The end result would be the establishment of a county ordinance forming a special oversight committee comprised of elected officials, county professionals, law enforcement professionals and citizens. Rivero said the committee would review, recommend and report on the sheriff”s advancement toward established goals and thereby provide quality assurance to the public.
Rivero said his vision for 21st Century law enforcement includes effective organization, highly trained staff, effective budget controls, modern equipment, and issue-appropriate policies. He said his operating goals included decreased response times, effective investigations, decreased drug and gang related crimes, interagency cooperation, increased protection for schools, emergency preparedness, sensitivity toward citizen needs, a modern jail and protection for community values such as lake ecology.
“Because much of a law enforcement organization is technical in nature, I believe a combination of civilian and professional involvement in shaping this vision is a key to its success,” Rivero stated in his staff report.
Rivero said his preference would be to include the participation of two members of the board of supervisors, which was accepted with supervisors Denise Rushing and Rob Brown to be appointed. Other ideal members he said would represent the Department of Corrections and the Deputy Sheriff”s Association.
Rivero also said his preference would be for the board to create the exploratory committee and make appointments. “By all rights the public should be represented on the committee,” he said. “I”m sure there are very qualified individuals in the public who would like to help. I do feel that the board should have some control over this (appointment) process.”
The board will solicit interested applicants and the item is expected to return before the board in a month.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
