The Shelby County Board of Commissioners Monday passed an ordinance that would codify the county’s first-ever law enforcement review board for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The Citizens Law Enforcement Review Committee, also known as CLERC, would review issues with both Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies and deputy jailers in the county-run correctional facilities.
CLERC, a community-led group, would only be able to review misconduct after SCSO completes an internal investigation. Commissioners previously passed an ordinance establishing the body but needed to pass a separate one due to state law changes.
The sponsor of the ordinance, Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, said that there was another death at the Shelby County Jail, also known as 201 Poplar, and that when detainees are within custody, the government has a duty to protect and care for them.
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The ordinance received another party-line vote with all Democrats voting in favor and Republicans voting against it.