Riverside County Supervisors Approve Sheriff's Oversight Committee

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to move forward with additional oversight of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

In a 4-0 vote, supervisors approved the creation of an ad hoc committee that will spend the next six months evaluating whether additional oversight measures are needed and how the department can improve accountability and transparency.

The proposal was introduced by Supervisors Karen Spiegel and Jose Medina.

Medina previously introduced a similar proposal in July 2025, but it failed to gain support from the board at that time.

County officials say the committee's work will focus on reviewing Sheriff's Department operations and examining possible ways to strengthen public oversight following concerns over in-custody deaths at Riverside County detention facilities.

The vote follows recommendations from a recent Civil Grand Jury investigation that called for an independent body to oversee the department and cited ongoing legal costs tied to lawsuits involving the Sheriff's Office.

During Tuesday's meeting, nearly 60 residents addressed the board, many speaking in favor of increased oversight while others criticized the effort as politically motivated.

Details regarding who will serve on the committee have not yet been released.

Following the vote, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco issued a statement criticizing the move.

Bianco wrote:

"This has nothing to do with oversight. It has everything to do with political control over law enforcement."

He added that the Sheriff's Department already provides information to the public and media unless restricted by law or active investigations and said he would not oppose an oversight committee if there were a demonstrated need.

The Sheriff's Office has consistently maintained that multiple layers of oversight already exist through state regulations, court systems and outside investigations.

The newly approved committee is expected to begin its work in the coming months.