Pubdate: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 Source: Auburn Journal (CA) Copyright: 2001 Auburn Journal Contact: 1030 High St., Auburn, CA 95603 Website: http://www.auburnjournal.com/ Author: Bruce Schuknecht, Journal Staff Writer Note: Sheriff Ed Bonner, named in seven lawsuits against the county for illegal SWAT raids against medical marijuana patients, appears to be backing away from his former hard line position BONNER TO REVIEW SWAT PRACTICES Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner has been named to a statewide panel that will study how law enforcement agencies throughout California deploy SWAT teams in high-risk situations. Commissioned by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the law enforcement panel includes several police department heads from Northern California. Its members will pick discussion topics for perhaps four meetings this year, California Department of Justice spokesman Nathan Barankin said Friday. Police Chief Art Venegas of Sacramento and Richard Word of Oakland were also invited to join the dozen-member commission, the department announced. Aside from Bonner, others include prosecutors, judges and state and local government representatives. "He's someone whose views are well respected by folks in Placer County, and colleagues around the state," the department said of Bonner. Though the depth and breadth of the commission's work has not taken shape yet, members are expected to review several SWAT team actions or, in police parlance, special weapons and tactics. These squads typically train heavily for deadly encounters using assault weapons and military-style tactics. Last September's fatal shooting of 11-year-old Alberto Sepulveda by a Modesto police SWAT team member triggered DOJ's desire for an overview of SWAT team deployment, according to the department's statement. An independent review of the incident by its lawyers revealed Modesto SWAT Officer David Hawn's shotgunning of the boy was accidental, as the team served search warrants on a major drug-making ring, the department statement said. "The death of Alberto Sepulveda is a horrible tragedy that can never be erased," Lockyer was quoted as saying. "S(W)hile we cannot find any criminal wrongdoing in this shooting, I believe we must do everything possible, starting today, to avoid future tragedies." Commission members are expected to review findings from incidents involving other SWAT teams, the DOJ said, but members would not seek overturning any shooting reviews. Members would also be tasked to review policies and procedures of agencies deploying SWAT teams. Lockyer also is expected to ask commissioners to recommend guidelines for individual agencies to improve safety for SWAT teams and for the public. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth