Citizens Panel May Study Charges Against Deputies

The Lynwood City Council will study the creation of a citizens review panel to look into complaints of harassment by Lynwood station sheriff’s deputies.

Last fall deputies at the station were criticized by a federal judge for routinely violating the civil rights of blacks and Hispanics.

Council members said Tuesday that establishing a panel outside the department would allow them to better track complaints by residents and monitor the service provided by the Sheriff’s Department.

Before the meeting, a group led by local ministers held a candlelight march to demand, among other things, that the independent board be created. Group leaders said they did not want the city to cancel its contract with the Sheriff’s Department, but they want to ensure that the department is accountable to the community. City staff is expected to make a recommendation next month on whether the city should set up the panel.