“A Southern California News Group analysis of campaign finance data shows the [Riverside Sheriffs Association] union donated more than $600,000 going back to 2016 to Gutierrez and the three supervisors — Karen Spiegel, Chuck Washington and V. Manuel Perez — who did not move the oversight plan forward.”

“A scathing report released this week revealed that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department cleared only 9.2% of its violent crimes and property offenses during Sheriff Chad Bianco’s first six years in office, ranking the agency’s clearance rate last among 57 California sheriffs.”

“The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has been criticized for not taking action on a motion to explore the creation of a civilian oversight commission and an office of inspector general. The Riverside Sheriff’s Accountability Coalition (RSAC) has expressed disappointment, citing that the community’s demand for transparency, justice, and accountability is now backed by over 10,000 county residents. The coalition has vowed to continue fighting for the creation of a permanent, independent Civilian Oversight Commission with full investigative powers and subpoena authority.”

Riverside County has one of the deadliest jail systems in the nation—and no civilian oversight. It’s time the Board of Supervisors stands with the community and demands accountability from Sheriff Bianco.

“Riverside County lacks meaningful oversight of its sheriff’s department, and the consequences have been deadly. Over 40 in-custody deaths in three years, rampant misconduct, and financial abuses that cost taxpayers millions have gone unchecked. These failures are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a system without independent accountability. Without oversight, abuses will continue.”