Last Updated on August 5, 2025 by BVN
Overview: The Riverside County Democratic Party has criticized the Board of Supervisors for not acting on a motion to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Department. The motion, which was introduced by Supervisor José Medina, was not even seconded, despite overwhelming public support for the measure. The party has accused the board of prioritizing politics and power over public safety and good governance, and has called on the board to learn from other counties in California that have implemented civilian oversight structures.
Riverside County Democratic Party
In a strong statement, the Riverside County Democratic Party responded to the lack of action by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors this week as it relates to the board’s failure to act on a motion introduced by Supervisor José Medina to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Department.
The freedom to establish such oversight is authorized under California Bill AB 1185, one of the few law reform bills to passed by the California legislature in the wake of the George Floyd protests. The measure was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2020.
There was an overwhelming show of public support for Riverside County to establish such oversight, yet the motion did not receive a second.
Residents from across the county took time off work, came prepared with facts and personal stories, and asked for one thing–accountability. Instead, the majority of the Board met them with indifference.
“As residents poured their hearts out calling for change, deputies lined the back of the chamber, and the Board met their courage with silence,” said Joy Silver, Chair of the Riverside County Democratic Party. “That silence speaks volumes. It tells the public that politics and power matter more than lives.”
The meeting drew more than 70 public comments, nearly all in favor of oversight. Public comment was unexpectedly cut down to just one minute per speaker, while Sheriff Chad Bianco was given nearly 15 minutes to speak uninterrupted—using the time to attack concerned residents and deflect accountability.
“This wasn’t a debate about politics,” Silver continued. “It was about public safety and good governance. Yet even when faced with rising jail deaths, misconduct, and national scrutiny, most of our Supervisors chose to do nothing.”
“We are especially disappointed in Supervisors Perez, Spiegel, Washington, and Gutierrez. Their refusal to even second the motion—combined with Supervisor Gutierrez’s decision to leave the meeting before the item was heard—demonstrates a failure of leadership. At a time when Riverside County needed courage, they chose complacency.”
“In contrast, we commend Supervisor José Medina for his integrity and leadership. His motion represented a thoughtful, necessary step toward restoring public trust. When it counted, he stood with the people of Riverside County.
While the Board failed to act yesterday, the demand for oversight is not going away. Other counties in California have implemented civilian oversight structures. Riverside has a chance to learn from those models and craft a system that works. The time to act is now.
To every resident who showed up, spoke out, or wrote in—thank you. The movement for transparency and accountability continues, and we’ll be standing beside you every step of the way.
