John Alden, the head of Sonoma County’s law enforcement oversight agency, is leaving his post today to become Marin County’s first Inspector General.
The Press Democrat reports reflecting on his four-year tenure with the watchdog group IOLERO, Alden stated that relations with the Sheriff’s Office started in conflict and remain in deep conflict.
He pointed to a lingering cultural resistance among rank-and-file deputies who refuse to cooperate with civilian interviews, stalling critical whistleblower and misconduct investigations. While praising Sheriff Eddie Engram for increasing communication with the Community Advisory Council, Alden noted that a lack of public intervention from the Board of Supervisors has made long-term oversight work incredibly challenging.
Chief Deputy Michael Soto will manage the agency’s operations until the board begins interviewing interim directors next month.
