Sonoma County panel formed after Andy Lopez’s death presents full report Tuesday

The 21-member citizens panel studying law enforcement oversight in the wake of Andy Lopez’s shooting death by a Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy is set to unveil its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in a hearing this afternoon, 18 months after the group was first convened.

The Community and Local Law Enforcement Task Force, organized by supervisors two months after Lopez, 13, was shot to death by Deputy Erick Gelhaus, was charged with analyzing models for an independent civilian review of law enforcement shootings; examining options for community policing programs; studying whether to separate the Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office into two agencies; and exploring ways to repair trust in law enforcement among residents, especially those in the Latino and minority communities.

The group has released its two-part report totaling more than 700 pages, along with policy recommendations. The Board of Supervisors is set to discuss the full report today for the first time. It is expected to ask county staff to return within four months with a strategy, timeline and budget to implement new policies.

Some recommendations from the group include:

Establishing an independent office of civilian oversight, separate from the Sheriff’s Office, with the ability to audit law enforcement investigations. It would report back to the Board of Supervisors.

Separating the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office from the Coroner’s Office, and establishing a new, non-elected coroner and medical examiner’s office to eliminate any potential conflict of interest between the two departments when investigating crimes.

Creating a new community policing model for law enforcement in southwest Santa Rosa to help build trust, reduce crime and improve the quality of life for Moorland neighborhood residents. Lopez and his family lived on Moorland Avenue, an unincorporated area on Santa Rosa’s southwestern outskirts.

Review use-of-force policing practices, emphasizing de-escalation tactics, because the “use of deadly force by law enforcement agencies is of deep concern,” the group said.

Writing policies for the Sheriff’s Office’s new program outfitting deputies with body cameras to provide greater checks and balances for incidents caught on camera.

Improving diversity in the department by hiring more people who reflect the cultural and demographic characteristics of the communities they serve.

Expanding mental health and counseling services for young people who experience and witness traumatic events.

Taking Gelhaus off his street patrol duties and reassigning him within the department.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch found the deputy broke no criminal laws when he shot Lopez, who was carrying an airsoft BB gun while walking down Moorland Avenue on Oct. 22, 2013. Gelhaus told investigators he thought that the gun was a real assault rifle.

He returned to patrol in August last year.

The Board of Supervisors hearing is set to begin at 2 p.m. today.

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.