In December of 2020, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (“KCSO”) and California’s Attorney General’s office reached an agreement to address concerns surrounding the policing practices of KCSO. As a result, KCSO agreed to implement a comprehensive set of corrective measures, such as establishing a community advisory council, improving community policing practices and policies, increasing transparency and accountability, and enhancing relationships with community members. To that end, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Council (“CAC”) is a group made up of volunteers and Sheriff’s Office personnel who are committed to work collaboratively with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in bridging the gap between the diverse communities of Kern, as envisioned in the Stipulated Agreement.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Council’s goal is to bring to fruition the
advancement and development of policy based on community needs. In collaboration with KCSO and an independent monitoring team, the CAC provides input into policy and procedure, provides insight into the community’s concerns, educates the community about KCSO, and works to build a safer community for all people. The CAC began this important work in 2021, which has been evolving over the last three years.
Following the departure of many members in February of 2023, the CAC was left without
leadership. KCSO Chief Deputy Erik Levig temporarily assumed a leadership role to ensure continuity of the CAC, but desired this effort to remain community led in partnership with KCSO.
The CAC has since developed and adopted formal By-Laws. On August 18, 2023, the CAC voted in two new community Co-chairs, Rosa Lopez and Jim Luff. Chief Deputy Erik Levig remained the KCSO Co-chair for a total of 3 Co-chairs.
This new structure was designed to encourage collaboration and embody community policing principles. The goal of the CAC remains to create a successful forum for community engagement, improve/restore public trust, and achieve a successful community policy model envisioned by both the Sheriff’s Office Mission Statement and the Stipulated Agreement. Over the last year, many new members have been added and the CAC continues to encourage applications for membership
If interested in joining or would like more information, please visit our website at
www.kerncac.org.
