LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Office for Complaints About Deputies Approved

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved creation of an ombudsman to hear complaints lodged against the Sheriff’s Department.

In a continuing effort to implement recommendations of the Kolts Commission, which studied the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Department, the supervisors approved a $300,000 first-year budget for the ombudsman’s office, despite budget concerns that are forcing cutbacks at every county department. The board also appointed retired Judge Richard Byrne, former presiding judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, to assemble a panel of retired judges that will aid the ombudsman in hearing and resolving complaints.

The supervisors also agreed to appoint attorney Merrick Bobb as special counsel to monitor implementation of other reform measures at the Sheriff’s Department. Bobb, who will be paid at a rate of $200 per hour, has a one-year budget of $200,000.