New Head Of San Diego Law Enforcement Review Board Announced

SAN DIEGO, CA — An attorney with 20 years of FBI experience will be the new executive officer of the San Diego County Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board, officials announced Wednesday.

Brett Kalina will start Sept. 3, according to CLERB Chair MaryAnne Pintar, who was on the selection committee.

"Brett has extensive experience with complex, high-profile investigations involving narcotics trafficking, violent crimes, complicated forensic evidence, and diverse communities," Pintar said. "Since CLERB's primary function is investigative, Brett's deep well of knowledge will serve CLERB's mission extremely well."

Kalina recently was an FBI supervisory special agent.

CLERB's primary role is to investigate citizen complaints against San Diego County sheriff and probation officers, as well as any incident of death or serious bodily injury connected to the actions of either department.

Based on the cases it reviews, as well as trends observed in the community, CLERB also recommends new policies or policy changes to the departments to improve policing practices, prevent harm and support equity.

"Kalina has been recognized for nurturing equal opportunity in the workplace and for his work to promote diversity and inclusivity in policing," Pintar said.

Kalina served for five years as president of the FBI's Bureau of Equality. In this role, he was dispatched to train teams tasked with investigating the mass homicide at the Pulse nightclub in Florida in 2016.

Kalina is a certified instructor in diversity and inclusion and headed initiatives that led to updated language policies within the bureau. He is also a specialized instructor in investigating criminal enterprises and organized crime as well as active shooter training.

Kalina earned his juris doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law and a bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota.

— City News Service