After years of abuse scandals and allegations of corruption, interim Los Angeles County Sheriff John Scott said a civilian oversight commission could help the department re-establish trust with the public.
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A group of appointed community members, Scott said, would help advise the department's commanders, making sure “there isn't even an appearance that we're trying to put the deputy in the right, when in fact, he was in the wrong.”
The county Board of Supervisors is expected to take up the proposal as early as next month.
In addition to the commission, Scott says he also supports the newly appointed inspector general as the department seeks to make itself more transparent.
“There is no longer a belief that things are being hidden, and I think too often in the past, that was the belief,” Scott said.
Such a committee, however, needs to have restrictions because there are personnel records, medical information and other confidential records that could be released in the process, Scott said.
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“There has to be a non-disclosure agreement of some type in order to prevent liability,” he said.
Scott said he welcomes the scrutiny, but only if confidentiality is protected at all levels.
