Title
Revisions to the Citizens Review Board
Action
Action:
Approve the Community Safety Committee's recommendation to revise Citizens Review Board membership requirements by amending Section 16-56 of Chapter 16 of the City Code.
Body
Committee Chair:
Julie Eiselt, Community Safety
Staff Resource(s):
Ann Wall, City Manager's Office
Stephanie Kelly, City Clerk's Office
Bob Hagemann, City Attorney
Current Ordinance
* The Charlotte City Council established the Citizens Review Board in 1997 to review appeals challenging The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's (CMPD) disciplinary decisions.
* The Board reviews appeals filed by citizens concerning CMPD disciplinary decisions in five types of cases:
* 1. Unbecoming conduct by an officer;
* 2. Improper use of force by an officer;
* 3. Unauthorized arrest, search, seizure by an officer;
* 4. The discharge of a firearm by an officer that results in death or injury; and
* 5. Arbitrary profiling (added in 2015).
* The Citizens Review Board has eleven members; three appointed by the Mayor, five appointed by the City Council, and three appointed by the City Manager.
* In order to qualify to serve, a person must be a registered voter and citizen of Mecklenburg County, have no conviction or nolo contendere plea to a felony or Class A misdemeanor or Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor within 3 years of nomination, execute a Confidentiality Agreement, and complete the CMPD Citizens' Academy.
* At the February 13, 2017 Dinner Briefing, staff provided a presentation to City Council reviewing the Citizens Review Board membership requirements and making recommendations for improvements including:
* Review appointment process and requirements to ensure a diverse board,
* Provide initial and annual training to board members,
* Prepare easy to understand information on Citizens Review Board process and translate the information into other languages,
* Direct complainants to resources to assist with filing complaint and...
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