Board of Ethics presents annual review of Riverside code of ethics

Tola Perkins of the Board of Ethics presented the annual review of Riverside Municipal Code 2.78, walking commissioners through scope, implementation steps and complaint processes. Perkins said the code requires training within 90 days of taking office and that complaints must be filed on city-clerk forms and submitted within one year of an alleged violation.

Perkins highlighted recent council amendments that affect the code. She told the commission that the City Council adopted a digital-misconduct prohibition on May 19, 2026, and earlier adopted whistleblower-protection language on Jan. 27, 2026. “My name is Tola Perkins, and I will be providing you with the Riverside Municipal Code 2.78 code of ethics and conduct annual review,” she said. Perkins also summarized enforcement options in the code, including public apology, training recommendations, censure or removal from leadership positions, and noted timelines for pre-conference procedures, hearings and appeals to the City Council.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the scope of prohibited conduct and about the role of chairs and clerks in forwarding complaints. Perkins recommended that chairs provide guidance to their bodies and, when needed, communicate concerns to the Board of Ethics. The presentation concluded with a request that the Community Police Review Commission discuss the code's effectiveness and forward any recommended revisions to the Board of Ethics for consideration.