[Added 9-20-2005 by Ord. No. 05-17]
There is hereby created in the Municipality
of Norristown a citizen advisory board, to be designated the "Public
Safety Citizen Advisory Board."
The purpose is:
A.
To enhance the delivery of police services in the
Municipality of Norristown.
B.
To facilitate support, and maintain effective communication
between police and the community.
C.
To enhance community life through an increase in public
safety awareness and a reduction in the incidence of crime.
D.
To advance the awareness of the Department's policies,
procedures, activities and responsibilities throughout the Municipality.
E.
To encourage neighborhood organizations to address
crime and safety problems at the grass-roots level.
F.
To address citizen concerns regarding police services.
The Public Safety Citizen Advisory Board shall
consist of seven members, who shall be appointed by the Council. Members
of the Citizen Advisory Board shall serve staggered terms of not more
than three years. The terms of not less than two nor more than three
members shall expire on December 31 of each year. The Council will
solicit candidates for the Public Safety Citizen Advisory Board from
the leadership of civic, townwatch, ethnic and neighborhood interest
organizations and will also select candidates for the Public Safety
Citizen Advisory Board from the business, religious and educational
communities.
A.
The Public Safety Citizen Advisory Board shall elect
officers from its own membership.
B.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall keep full records
of its business and shall submit a report of its activities to the
Council at such time as shall be required by the Council. The Citizen
Advisory Board shall make a report to Municipal Council's Public Safety
Committee as soon as practicable after each of the Citizen Advisory
Board meetings. This report shall include a copy of the agenda of
the last Citizen Advisory Board meeting being distributed to Municipal
Council followed by a brief oral summary of the meeting.
A.
Once the Citizen Advisory Board is formed, the members
will go through orientation provided by the Municipality.
B.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall convene four times
per year, either at the Municipal Building or at various locations
throughout the Municipality.
C.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall facilitate communications
between the Police Department and the citizens of Norristown.
D.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall discuss and identify
community problems and examine the cause(s) of said problems.
E.
This shall provide rank and file officers with a current
listing of community questions, concerns, and interests; and the proposal
of innovative solutions to community problems.
F.
Where appropriate, the Citizen Advisory Board shall
advise Municipal Council and assist in the implementation of policy
initiatives.
G.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall examine services
provided by the Police Department and shall make recommendations and
suggestions for improvements.
H.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall analyze resources
in the Police Department so as to provide all citizens a proper level
of public safety.
I.
The Citizen Advisory Board shall uphold an objective
position in regard to all Advisory Board related issues affecting
the Municipality.
