Monterey County
status
Board of Supervisors study session · 2023-07-26
In 2023, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors formed a two-supervisor ad hoc committee (Supervisors Wendy Root Askew and Glenn Church) to explore AB 1185 oversight options. The committee held a public hearing on July 26, 2023 covering possible configurations including a citizens' commission paired with an inspector general, and circulated a draft ordinance proposing an oversight budget of at least 1% of the sheriff's budget. No ordinance has been adopted as of available records.
Source: Who polices the police? Public hearing on oversight for Monterey County Sheriff's Office
What is AB 1185?
AB 1185 (2020) added California Government Code § 25303.7. It lets a California county establish civilian oversight of its sheriff — a sheriff oversight board, an Office of Inspector General, or both — either by action of the Board of Supervisors or by a vote of county residents.
The law is permissive, not a mandate: each county decides whether to create one. Where a county does, the Board of Supervisors may grant the body subpoena power.
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| Sworn officers | 231 | (29%) |
|---|---|---|
| Custody officers | 478 | (61%) |
| Civilian staff | 81 | (10%) |
| Total | 790 |
| Facility | Beds |
|---|---|
| Monterey County Jail | 1,151 |
Civil Grand Jury investigations (6)
The Monterey County Civil Grand Jury is required by Penal Code §919(b) to inquire annually into the condition of county jails, which the sheriff operates. Reports below investigate the sheriff's office, jails, deaths in custody, deputy conduct, or related matters. Sourced from civilgrandjury.org/monterey.
- Monterey County Jail Crisis: Our De Facto Mental Health Facility
- Monterey County Jail Crisis: Our De Facto Mental Health Facility
- Monterey County Jail Insufficient Number Of Deputies: Car 54 Where Are You?
- The Monterey County Jail a Review of Past and Current Problems
- Detention Facilities Inspections
- Detention Facilities Inspections
Statewide oversight reports on the sheriff or jails (8)
Reports from California state-level oversight bodies — auditors, inspectors, boards, and commissions — that mention Monterey County in the context of the sheriff's office, jails, custody, deputies, or use-of-force.
- BSCC 3280 Monterey County Jail Targeted Insp Rpt 23-24 II
- BSCC 3280+ Monterey County Sheriff's Office Inspection Rpt 23-24 II CH
- BSCC Monterey County_Sheriffs Office and Court Holding Inspection Report 20-22 TII CH
- BSCC Monterey County_Detention Facilities Initial Inspection Report 20-22 TII
- FPPC No Action Closure Letter re Monterey County Sheriff’s Office; Fppc No. 2020-01089
- BSCC Monterey County_Detention Facilities Inspection Report 18-20 Adult
- BSCC Monterey County_Monterey City Jail Inspection Report 18-20 TI
- BSCC Monterey County_Soledad Police Department Jail Inspection Report 16-18 TH