Rights Panel to Monitor Deputy Shooting Investigation : Inquiry: The Human Relations Commission will act as ‘a listening agent’ for those in law enforcement and the black community who have concerns about the probe.

The Orange County Human Relations Commission agreed Thursday night to monitor the investigation into the Christmas Day shooting death of Sheriff’s Deputy Darryn Leroy Robins by another deputy.

While commission members took no formal action, they said they will remain in close contact with law enforcement officials and black community leaders who have concerns about the investigation.

“This commission can act as a listening agent,” said Chairwoman Fran Williams, a Rancho Santiago College professor. “We’re not here to fan the fire or point a finger. The investigation is underway, and a lot of questions remain.”

Robins, 30, who was black, was killed when fellow Deputy Brian Scanlan, 32, who is white, shot him in the face during what authorities describe as an impromptu field training exercise in Lake Forest.

Scanlan was using a loaded gun during the drill in what Sheriff Brad Gates has said was a violation of department policy.

Authorities have called the shooting an accident but have released few details about what happened, citing the ongoing investigation by the district attorney’s office.

The dearth of information released since the shooting has prompted some black community leaders to call for a federal investigation into possible civil-rights violations in the case.

One of those leaders, Lake Forest health administrator Eugene Wheeler, spoke before the commission Thursday night, encouraging the panel to take a stand in support of the independent investigation.

“There is something going on here,” Wheeler said of the shooting. “We’re confused why other intelligent people can’t see what we see.”

The commission decided to discuss the Robins shooting during its monthly meeting to reassure members of the black community who may be concerned about the integrity of the probe, Williams said.

She said the case has been “handled well,” and that the commission may be able to defuse tensions among community members who are suspicious.

“We don’t want to see this escalate into something that it is not,” she said before Thursday night’s meeting.