As we continue to move forward, in the city with police-community relationships, I think it valuable to bring up a discussion for the Citizens' Review Board. Of course, this is not a new topic. In fact, two years ago a group called CCAP did extensive work on this project and it did not survive through the study session.  

And then again, I could see how under the argument of adding another additional layer of government to the police process would not really be attractive to the previous council. I could also see how a bunch of citizens who may or may not be knowledgeable about the police process making judgments on police work may not be appealing to the police department. And how would the community and members of such a board react to a board with limited abilities to make positive changes. If these were the circumstances of a citizen review board two years ago, then I could see where the conversations hit a stalemate.

However, through all of the obstacles, I deem it better to figure out a way to overcome these glitches so that the city can have an extra tool to help improve police-community relationships. I would like to see a board where a small group of citizens equipped with knowledge of police practices review complaints in entirety along with the police chief.  This would give the chief and the community an opportunity to educate one another. The police chief would have an opportunity to educate the community on policy and procedure and the community would have an opportunity to ask questions and educate the police chief on different issues. This would all be done in the open, as opposed to on an individual basis.  Currently, as a council member I can enquire about different policies and procedures, but I would like an even more open process.

Of course there are some things that legally, citizens would not be previewed to or able explore due to legal ramifications. These are the types of issues that would be worked on early in the process – determining what can and can’t be discussed. In an era, where we desperately need to improve relationships, this would be a great opportunity for our city to explore.  I would even support a conditional sunset clause where we evaluated the program on an annual basis and if the board proved ineffective in 2 years, that we dissolve the board. Whatever the case may be, in an honest effort to improve community –police relationships, I see a Citizens' Review Board as a positive step forward in this effort.