A San Diego coalition of activist groups believes it is time for police reform – mainly by strengthening the Community Review Board on Police Practices.
The coalition has issued a call for people to attend tonight’s – Thursday, June 11th- City Council hearing to demand reform. The hearing starts at 6pm in Council Chambers – 202 “C” Street, 12th Floor.
The Coalition declares:
We have a real chance of getting an independent Community Review Board with subpoena powers…
The coalition includes the Black Student Justice Coalition, Women Occupy San Diego and United Against Police Terror San Diego.
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From their Facebook page:
We have a real chance of getting an independent Community Review Board with subpoena powers – SHOW UP to support this call for reform!
Reforming the CRB will provide SD with a truly effective Review Board on Police Practices. Sign up to SUPPORT our Agenda Item or just come and hold a small sign that will be provided – show the council that this matters to the people of San Diego.
Our coalition recommends that the Charter Review Committee adopt the model of the San Diego County Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB), empowered by the voters in 1990 by passing Proposition A.
City Charter reforms essential to the effective functioning of civilian and community oversight of the SDPD include:
- Independent investigators and subpoena power, as provided to the San Diego County Law Enforcement Review Board by the voters in 1990 (Proposition A).
- Intake, tracking and review of all complaints filed is done by the CRB rather than by SDPD Internal Affairs, also as modeled by the San Diego County Law Enforcement Review Board approved by the voters in 1990.
Our coalition additionally recommends that the Charter Review Committee make two further revisions to the City Charter to reinforce the community-based nature of independent police oversight:
- Change the name from “Citizens Review Board” to “COMMUNITY Review Board”.
- Have the Members of this Community Review Board on Police Practices appointed by the representatives elected in the 9 City Council Districts – 2 per District. Plus 1 appointee by the Mayor.
This Charter Revision would provide the residents of San Diego County with a consistent civilian review process for law enforcement throughout much of the County, since the CLERB has jurisdiction over the 9 cities that contract with the County Sheriff for law enforcement, as well as the unincorporated County, jails, and probation/parole services.
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Doug Porter in yesterday’s column reminds us to check out Kelly Davis’ report over at Voice of San Diego on proposals to overhaul to the citizen watchdog group. Porter adds:
Changes to the City Charter could result in a Citizen’s Review Board with some actual power, as opposed to the toothless, underfunded and understaffed status quo, which can hardly be bothered to utter anything critical.
Or, perhaps it’s just that the SDPD are perfect. Except there are several million dollars in out-of-court settlements suggesting otherwise.
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