TOP 10 FUNCTIONS OF
CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS
1. To establish the principle of police accountability by investigating and hearing citizen complaints on police activity. To ensure that citizens with grievances have a place to turn and thereby to help discourage police misconduct.
2. To promote community awareness as to the citizen's opportunity to file a complaint concerning police misconduct, as well as to disseminate information as to how and where to file a complaint. Also, to educate the public as to its rights in dealing with the police and about the merits of civilian oversight.
3. To make concrete recommendations about police policies and procedures and to suggest improvements in training. Also, to alert police administrators to the steps they must take to curb abuse as well to provide recommendations as to how future abuse may be prevented.
4. To hold regular monthly meetings that are open to the public so that citizens and representatives of organizations can voice criticisms, make proposals, and introduce resolutions to review or reform specific police practices. To provide a mechanism through which the community can voice its concerns and suggest recommendations.
5. To create and utilize an "early warning" or "at-risk" system to identify officers who are the subject of repeated complaints. A strong reporting mechanism and an early warning system are essential components of an effective civilian review board.
6. To publish a semi-annual report listing the numbers of the following: complaints received; complaints investigated; hearings held; complaints withdrawn; and local, state, and federal cases filed against the police department. Of course, the disposition of the complaints should be provided, and the number of use of force complaints as well as the number of shootings also should be listed.
7. To author and make available to the public a summary report on each complaint and its disposition.
8. To forge a relationship with local prosecutors as well as the Offices of the State Attorney and the US Attorney. Complaints alleging serious allegations should be forwarded to the relevant prosecuting agencies for appropriate action. And when local prosecutors fail to act on cases concerning police misconduct, it is the responsibility of the federal government to prosecute if an individual's civil rights have been violated.
9. To contact the civilian regarding the filing of a complaint, if a case of police misconduct is known to have been alleged against that civilian and no complaint has been received.
10. To protect officers from petty and vengeful complaints as well as protect the due process rights of officers engaged in the complaint process.
