Board introduces interim inspector general, new public health officer and defender director; supervisors debate IG independence

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on April 28 introduced three county officers approved on consent: Doctor Lou as the county public health officer (effective June 1), a newly appointed director for the Defender’s Office and an interim inspector general, Eric Kane Tiffanie Leon‑Synnott.

The personnel appointments were noted by County Executive staff as part of the consent actions the board approved earlier in the meeting. Dr. Lou told the board she was "deeply honored to be appointed as your Sacramento County health officer" and said she looked forward to working with public health staff to support county residents.

The board then turned to the Office of Inspector General. Deputy County Executive Erik Jones summarized the county’s hybrid oversight model, saying the IG "reviews internal affairs investigations, monitors serious incidents and audits policy and practices" but does not have operational control over the Sheriff’s Office or independent subpoena power. Jones described the model as intended to strengthen "accountability, transparency and public trust." Paul Curtis, chair of the Sheriff’s Community Review Commission, said the interim IG appointment addressed an earlier gap when the county lacked an IG for months and that timely intake of complaints is critical.

Supervisor Kennedy voiced concern about the contractor‑based IG position and the difficulty of ensuring consistent accountability for a role that is not a county employee: "Depending on the individual, there's very little oversight of the position itself," she said, urging safeguards on independence and accountability. Other supervisors and speakers raised the question of subpoena authority for effective oversight and noted past episodes where the IG’s access was restricted.

The board’s actions approving the appointments were taken on the consent calendar earlier in the meeting. The county executive’s office said additional materials and a formal announcement about the new public health officer’s background will be released to the public.