Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : New Panel to Advise Sheriff’s Department : Law enforcement: Citizens committee of 12 to 18 will comment on various public safety issues.

Law enforcement authorities in the Santa Clarita Valley hope to gauge public perception of their efforts by forming a new advisory panel of area residents.

“This is a group that will give us the good news and the bad news. I will have confidence in this group taking the tough issues and giving their comments,” said Capt. Jerry Conklin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Conklin identified customer service as a top priority for the committee and said other likely issues will include general topics such as how to deal with problem teen-agers. He has started contacting local organizations, asking them to submit nominations for panel members.

The group will include 12 to 18 area residents and meet on a monthly basis beginning in October. Members will serve one or two years.

Authorities also hope the panel will increase awareness about the duties and performance of the department in the Santa Clarita Valley. Members will be required to take 24 hours of classroom training to learn about the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“We found there’s an appalling lack of knowledge in the community about what we do and what we don’t do,” Conklin said.

Applications to service on the committee are due June 30. A records check will be conducted of each member, although a criminal record will not disqualify applicants from participation.