IOLERO receives Sheriff's Office Investigation of Charles Blount, Blount resigns

Dear Community Partners:   

This is a special announcement from the director of IOLERO. IOLERO's regular newsletter will go out, as scheduled, during the first week of March.  

Yesterday, IOLERO received the Sheriff Office's administrative investigation of Charles Blount and his participation in the arrest which led to the death of David Ward. This investigation includes only information related to Charles Blount. After Mr. Ward's death, two administrative investigations were initiated – one specifically focused on Mr. Blount's actions and the second, a comprehensive administrative investigation of the entire incident. The second administrative investigation of the entire incident including the actions/inaction of the other deputies involved is not yet complete. Once the second administrative investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to IOLERO for review/audit. 

The criminal investigation is being conducted by the Santa Rosa Police Department and is a separate investigation from the administrative investigations conducted by the Sheriff's Office. Once the criminal investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of whether to file criminal charges.

The IOLERO director was also informed that during the termination process, which includes a Skelly hearing, Mr. Blount resigned from the Sheriff's Office. You may find information about the termination and resignation process here: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Civil-Service-Commission/Rule-10-Separations-and-Suspensions/

Our March newsletter will include updates and news from IOLERO including the date and location of our April Community Advisory Council (CAC) meeting. As a reminder, the March meeting will take place Monday, March 2nd.  Details including the agenda may be found here: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Community-Advisory-Council/Calendar/Community-Advisory-Council-meeting-March-2-2020/