By C1 Staff
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Twenty-five members and one alternate member have been chosen to sit on a commission tasked with improving the Santa Clara County jail following a high-profile inmate death.
KTVU reports that three deputies are accused of beating inmate Michael Tyree to death last August.
Commission members include retired judges, mental health experts, inmate rights and community activists, along with a former inmate. Former San Jose Independent Police Auditor LaDoris Cordell will serve as chair.
The commission will review training for officers, services for the mentally ill and civilian oversight over the complaint process.
Though Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said she welcomes the scrutiny, an online petition has called for her removal from the commission since she’s the head of the agency being evaluated. Smith said she hadn’t seen the petition, and wants to be “the voice of the department.”
The commission hopes to hold public meetings twice a month, and vows to have an open and transparent process. They hope to report back with an overall evaluation in 120 days.