S2.26 21-0242 Subject: Support For SB 271 The Sheriff Diversity And Democracy Act
From: Council President Fortunato Bas
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution In Support Of Senate Bill 271 (Weiner), The Sheriff Diversity And Democracy Act, Which Would Return California To Its Original Constitutional Language For Candidates Seeking The Office Of County Sheriff, Which If Enacted Would No Longer Require Law Enforcement Experience To Seek The Office Of Sheriff And Lead To A Broader Pool Of Eligible Candidates, Ideally With More Diverse Backgrounds And Skill Sets Favoring De-Escalation, Mental Care, And Health Care
I also strongly support this resolution. I believe that, although law enforcement experience is in itself an ideal prerequisite, it also limits the position for candidates who may have experience in other skill sets and/or thru community activism that could lead to a much different vision of a proactive not reactive model of law enforcement going forward. Serving the communities is just as important as protecting the communities. Opening up the candidate pool would not only return California to it's original Constitution foundation but also create a new model of a more effective and progressive model that, I feel, could make Alameda County a model for other counties to broaden their Law Enforcement vision, commitment and effectiveness to serve and protect all citizens.
I strongly support this proposal! We must open up the Sheriff's candidacy to all eligible individuals. This will ensure a more accurate representation of our diverse communities.
I strongly support dropping the requirement for sheriff candidates to have law enforcement experience. This requirement makes it vanishingly unlikely for any candidate committed to criminal justice reform-- and alternative, non-carceral approaches to conflict-- to be elected, and it is out of step with changes our county needs to make in order to preserve the lives and well-being of Black and brown community members. While it would be nice to believe that a career law enforcement member could remain committed to non-carceral conflict resolution long enough to qualify for sheriff under the existing guidelines, it ought to be abundantly clear by now that it's rare for real reformers to stay in the field without being changed by the prevailing carceral culture. What we've been doing has not worked, and it has done a lot of harm. It's time to try something else.
I also strongly support this resolution. I believe that, although law enforcement experience is in itself an ideal prerequisite, it also limits the position for candidates who may have experience in other skill sets and/or thru community activism that could lead to a much different vision of a proactive not reactive model of law enforcement going forward. Serving the communities is just as important as protecting the communities. Opening up the candidate pool would not only return California to it's original Constitution foundation but also create a new model of a more effective and progressive model that, I feel, could make Alameda County a model for other counties to broaden their Law Enforcement vision, commitment and effectiveness to serve and protect all citizens.
I strongly support this proposal! We must open up the Sheriff's candidacy to all eligible individuals. This will ensure a more accurate representation of our diverse communities.
I strongly support dropping the requirement for sheriff candidates to have law enforcement experience. This requirement makes it vanishingly unlikely for any candidate committed to criminal justice reform-- and alternative, non-carceral approaches to conflict-- to be elected, and it is out of step with changes our county needs to make in order to preserve the lives and well-being of Black and brown community members. While it would be nice to believe that a career law enforcement member could remain committed to non-carceral conflict resolution long enough to qualify for sheriff under the existing guidelines, it ought to be abundantly clear by now that it's rare for real reformers to stay in the field without being changed by the prevailing carceral culture. What we've been doing has not worked, and it has done a lot of harm. It's time to try something else.