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.