California's attorney general has opened a civil rights investigation of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, looking into allegations of misconduct at county jails.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday the civil rights investigation will look for patterns or practices of unconstitutional or unlawful conduct.
"This investigation comes amidst deeply concerning allegations, relating to conditions of confinement in the office's jail facilities, resistance to lawful oversight and other misconduct," he explained.
Bonta added there is a deficit of trust in Santa Clara County resulting from the allegations being investigated. "Public safety is built on trust, when communities feel like they are treated fairly and equitably by law enforcement it increases trust," he said.
Bonta added the investigation originated within his office but last fall, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors asked for outside investigations of Sheriff Laurie Smith over conditions in the county jails and resistance to oversight.
"We will use our authority under California constitution, to determine whether the sheriff's office has engaged in a pattern or practice of violating state or federal law," he stated.
Bonta said there is no timeline for the investigation.
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