Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department oversight panel chair claims forced termination
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Robert Bonner, Yanked from the LA Sheriff Oversight Gig, Alleges Unceremonious Booting
Well, the cat's out of the bag - Robert Bonner, the big cheese of the LA Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, is getting the boot, according to a letter Bonner received on the 13th of May. The letter, penned by Kathryn Barger, LA County Supervisor, stated that Bonner's days are numbered as the commission chair.
Bonner tried to throw in a olive branch, requesting a meeting to air his thoughts and express his desire to see out the year. However, Barger's office played hard to get, promising a meeting scheduler, but never following through, Bonner claims. The end result? Bonnerman (not so) voluntarily leaving the Commission and yearning to stick around to complete his current projects.
Barger, chair of the County Board of Supervisors, responded with an email, stating that she is granting Bonner leeway to complete his term as chair. But Barger isn't all warm and fuzzy feelings, she's also keen on diversifying the commission's voices and perspectives. Bonner didn't comment on the matter, and it remains unclear when he will be stepping down from the commission.
Bonner served his second stint as chair of the commission in July, having previously occupied the post from 2016 to 2018. Chairs and officers of the oversight commission serve one-year terms each July and can serve up to two consecutive terms.
The initiatives Bonner was focusing on included revising LA County code, ensuring the commission can operate independently; legal action to review confidential documents in closed session; the shepherding of Assembly Bill 847, a bill passed by the state Assembly on June 2 that ensures civilian oversight commissions can review confidential documents in closed session; and efforts to eliminate deputy gangs and cliques.
Straight from Cali:
LA County Sheriff's Oversight Official under Retaliation Probe
A former civilian watchdog of the LA County Sheriff's Department is being probed for allegedly retaliating against a deputy who was scrutinized over his role in a unit accused of pursuing politically motivated cases. Not our old pal Robert Bonner this time, by the way.
In the words of Bonner himself, he expected a sit-down with Barger, being the current chair of the commission and all. But alas, it seems things didn't go as planned. Barger, for her part, was quick to say Bonner's term expired and she's giving him a chance to finish his term as chair. Barger made sure to note she's all about cultivating trust in the oversight process by bringing in fresh perspectives.
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- The ongoing controversy surrounding Los Angeles County Sheriff's Oversight Commission Chair, Robert Bonner, has expanded to include allegations of hostile work environment and retaliation, as stated in investigations related to California politics and policy-and-legislation.
- The California environment has seen an escalation in tensions between the LA County Sheriff's Oversight Commission and officials, as recent events indicate that Commission Chair Robert Bonner is under a retaliation probe, following accusations of politically motivated cases, a matter that intertwines with general news and law.
- As the dust settles on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, discussions about the need for environmental laws and policy-and-legislation to ensure oversight commission independence and accountability in the face of political pressures continue to dominate headlines in the realm of California, politics, and the environment.
