Federal investigators are recommending a sweeping series of changes, including an oversight panel, to prevent future violations of constitutional rights they say local officials haven’t fully addressed.
Tag: Don Barnes
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Left Without Leadership, What Happens Now To Orange County’s Only Police Watchdog Agency?
Right now, no one is in charge of the Office of Independent Review. Meanwhile, taxpayers have shelled out $40 million over the last decade over lawsuits against the Sheriff’s Department.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Grocery Store Quality Food or Rotten Bologna? State Inspects Food Conditions in OC Jails
Despite a contradictory report that sparked uproar about food conditions in local jails, state inspectors say the OC Sheriff Department is serving quality food to inmates.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Leads State in Transferring Inmates to ICE for Possible Deportation, Latest Data Shows
Orange County’s number-one spot drew protest Tuesday from activists who say the sheriff is harming immigrant communities, Sheriff Don Barnes says he’s following the law.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
No DA Decision, Some Reflection More Than A Year After OC Sheriff’s Dept. Killed Kurt Reinhold
September marked the one-year anniversary of Kurt Reinhold’s death. Much about the consequential killing remains unresolved.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Sheriff Says Covid Vaccinations Now Mandatory for Jail Deputies, as Infections Rise
Deputy sheriffs are only about 8 percent of the county government workforce, but account for nearly half of all recent Covid infections among county employees who were exposed at work, according to county data.
Posted inCountywide
Two OC Supervisors Back Scathing Report on Sheriff Training as Taxpayers Pay Millions for Lawsuits
Excessive force claims have cost Orange County taxpayers over $13 million in payouts over the last decade, with total sheriff lawsuit payouts topping $40 million, according to county data.
Posted inCommunity Opinion
Armendariz: Why Governor Newsom’s Recall Brouhaha Should be Directed at OC Sheriff Don Barnes
Why Governor Newsom’s recall brouhaha should be directed at OC Sheriff Don Barnes.
Posted inGovernment
Why Does the Sheriff Destroy Misconduct Files After 5 Years?
Thanks to a recent state law, the public now has a right to see investigation files about police officers who were found to have committed serious misconduct. But if you ask the OC Sheriff’s Department for anything older than a few years, you’re largely out of luck.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Despite High-Profile Escape, OC Jails Still Have Major Security Risks, Grand Jury Finds
Despite three inmates escaping in 2016, Orange County’s jails still have glaring security risks – including having just a chain link fence along the edge of a major jail – according to a grand jury that inspected the facilities.
