The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has appointed Rick Braziel to begin serving as Inspector General on December 1, 2015. The Office of Inspector General has broad oversight powers including the evaluation of the overall quality of law enforcement, the authority to encourage systemic change, and the ability to oversee investigations of citizen complaints against the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. The role of the Inspector General is to serve as liaison to the public and to ensure objectivity and fairness during investigations.
Information on the Office of Inspector General is available to the public at www.inspectorgeneral.saccounty.net or (916) 876-4371.
“The Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff, and the Sacramento County Executive Office are committed to supporting this vital public safety function,” said Phil Serna, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
“Following a very deliberate search to fill this position, we are pleased to have such a qualified individual to help the County with thorough, transparent and independent oversight.”
Rick Braziel is the former Chief of Police for the City of Sacramento. He brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the job. Since his retirement from the city, he has continued lead and educate, consulting for law enforcement agencies around the country, and serving as an Executive Fellow with the Police Foundation.
The Office of the Inspector General is a contract position. The Inspector General will not work directly for the Sheriff or be subject to the direction and control of the Sheriff’s Department. The Office will work closely with the Sheriff’s Department but will be located in a separate office space and remain independent.
“We look forward to working with the Inspector General to help us continue to bring oversight and accountability to the work of protecting public safety,” said Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones. “The Office of Inspector General will operate transparently and help maintain trust between our office and the public.”
