SAN DIEGO — Police reform was the major topic of discussion among county officials Tuesday. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to create an Office of Equity and Racial Justice and launch Mobile Crisis Response Teams that use clinicians instead of law enforcement for mental health and homeless services.
On Friday, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher stood with trusted leaders from the Black community and announced three bold policies to create more transparency and start to change the systemic and structural racism that has caused pain and harm to generations of Black people. The supervisor also launched a petition drive to support this effort.
The Racial Justice and Law Enforcement Realignment Policy Package was developed in partnership with the community to:
On Monday, Shane Harris, president/founder of The People's Alliance for Justice, held a media briefing to denounce Supervisor Fletcher's proposal to create a county Office of Equity and Racial Justice.
Harris said Supervisor Fletcher did not get enough community input. Harris said the proposal does not include "recommendations for the Office of Racial Equity to analyze policies and procedures at the County level that create and maintain systemic racism within the institution."
Harris, with the support of other civil rights leaders, sent a letter to District Attorney Summer Stephan outlining his own reform regarding what a new independent unit within her office could do.
Supervisor Fletcher's office issued the following statement on Harris's proposal Monday afternoon:
“We are grateful to the tremendous outpouring of community support for our reform proposals and while we only heard from this group shortly before their press conference, we are always open to, and welcome, constructive suggestions to strengthen our policies.”
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department released the following statement on overtime costs during protests in the county.
"The total overtime costs for the protests/civil unrest that have been paid so far are $1,862,798. This includes time starting May 28, 2020 to June 4, 2020. This is the cost for sworn and support elements for our department. During the majority of this time period, all vacation and time off was cancelled. In addition to our response to incidents related to the protests/civil unrest we still maintained our normal operational functions throughout the county."
Breakdown of the Racial Justice and Law Enforcement Realignment Policy Package
Strengthen the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Review Board Authority and Independence
- Increase independence from the County Sheriff
- Authority to investigate use of weapon incidents
- Authority to investigate use of force causing injury
- Authority to investigate use of force at protests
- Community input in the selection of members
- More transparent member selection process
- Increase funding to support investigative powers
- Presentation to Board of Supervisors annually
Start an Office of Equity and Racial Justice for the County of San Diego
- Establish and staff an Office of Equity and Racial Justice
- Involve communities of color in setting policy and budget priorities
- Secure and administer restorative justice programs
- Dismantle systemic barriers that present obstacles based on race
Launch Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) without Law Enforcement
- Establish and staff countywide Mobile Crisis Response Teams with clinicians
- Create help line for community to request a MCRT
- Launch outreach campaign to educate community about MCRT
- Dedicate $10 million annually in the HHSA budget for countywide MCRT
On Tuesday, the board passed unanimously the first and third recommendations as is. The second passed unanimously, but not as written. Instead, what was passed was getting input from the Human Relations Commission and a clear mission statement, then coming back to the supervisors later in the year.
