Dignity and Power Now has several initiatives to end sheriff violence in the LA County jails. DPN is the anchor organization for the Coalition to End Sheriff Violence (C2ESV), a coalition of Los Angeles County community organizations who fought and won civilian oversight over the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2014 and continue to fight for that oversight body to be effective.
The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) was officially implemented in January of 2016 and meets monthly. There are 9 commissioners, 2 of whom were nominated by the C2ESV, Priscilla Ocen and Rabbi Heather Miller. The C2ESV offers support to people directly and indirectly impacted by the jail system in getting to the meetings and giving public testimony. If you would like more information on attending or support in giving testimony please contact DPN Campaign Lead Michele Infante.
Although the existence of the commission is a major victory, the C2ESV is still fighting to ensure the commission has the power to hold the LASD accountable. This includes the power to subpoena the sheriff’s department, independent investigative power, the power to direct the work of the Inspector General, and the demand that no former law enforcement serve on the commission. As of 2018 there are 2 former law enforcement officers on the commission, JP Harris who is a 30 year veteran of the LASD, and Robert Bonner who is former DEA and Customs Enforcement.
In support of the demand for subpoena power, the Reform Jails and Community Reinvestment Initiative was launched in April 2018. The Reform Jails and Community Reinvestment Initiative puts the conversation of police accountability and transparency and alternatives to incarceration into the hands of the voters. Visit reformlajails.com to sign on and learn more.
The Coalition to End Sheriff Violence is Action for Grassroots Empowerment and Neighborhood Development Alternatives, All of Us or None, American Civil Liberties Union Southern California, Black Worker Center, Californians United for a Responsible Budget, Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, Community Coalition, Community Rights Campaign, Critical Resistance Los Angeles, East Los Angeles Community Corporation, Gender Justice Los Angeles, Immigrant Youth Coalition, Justice Not Jails, Los Angeles Community Action Network, Pastor Sauls from Holman Methodist Church, Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education, Street Poets, The Village Nation, and Youth Justice Coalition.
Read the latest blogs featuring the Coalition to End Sheriff Violence!