The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a one-year agreement appointing Eric Kane as Inspector General, ensuring continuity of independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Office while the County evaluates long-term options for the position. The contract begins May 1, 2026, and extends through April 30, 2027.
The Office of Inspector General operates independently from the Sheriff’s Office and plays a critical role in providing impartial intake and review of community complaints.
The most recent Inspector General, Kevin Gardner, elected not to continue beyond the term of his contract, which ended March 31, 2026.
Kane brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, with a background in complex investigations, personnel management and program development. He is currently serving as Associate Director/Police Lieutenant for the University of the Pacific, where he oversees operations within the Department of Public Safety.
Prior to that role, Mr. Kane spent the majority of his career with the Stockton Police Department, where he began as a police officer in 1996 and rose through the ranks to retire as Deputy Chief in 2022. Throughout his tenure, he held several key assignments directly relevant to the responsibilities of the Inspector General, including:
- Conducting internal affairs investigations into alleged misconduct
- Leading officer-involved critical incident investigations in coordination with external partners
- Overseeing all criminal investigations, including those involving department personnel
- Serving as liaison to a Community Advisory Board and participating in national initiatives focused on building community trust and justice