A Sonoma County judge has ruled that a civilian oversight agency lacks the authority to subpoena the sheriff for records while investigating whistleblower complaints involving staff.

The decision shocked supporters of law enforcement oversight who closely watched the case that tested the limits of an independent oversight board to force a sheriff to provide information. It struck a blow against the power of an agency born from the death of 13-year-old Andy Lopez a decade ago and strengthened by Sonoma County voters in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.

The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach took Sheriff Eddie Engram to court for failing to comply with two subpoenas the agency issued in April of this year.

IOLERO was investigating a whistleblower complaint involving four sheriff’s office staff members who had asked for their personnel records, according to court filings. The watchdog also sought any internal affairs reports and disciplinary records for sustained findings against officers for being dishonest from 2016 to 2022.

Attorneys for IOLERO argued in court filings that Sonoma County’s voter-approved Measure P and agreements made between the county and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association gave the oversight office powers to investigate complaints of staff misconduct and issue subpoenas.

However, in a ruling on Thursday, Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo said he saw no evidence of this authority among the patchwork of local law and union...

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