[Ord. No. 532, § 1, 1-22-1986; Ord. No. 1054, 9-13-2011; Ord. No. 1133, § I, 7-14-2015; Ord. No. 1211, § I, 1-22-2019]
A Police Advisory and Review Board is hereby established to
advise the Mayor, the City Council and the Police Department regarding
police matters, and assist with the adoption and revision of rules
and regulations (including City ordinances) related to the Police
Department and to provide an impartial and fair review of complaints
brought by citizens regarding the Police Department.
[Ord. No. 1211, § I, 1-22-2019]
The Police Advisory and Review Board shall have the following
powers and duties:
(a)
To study police related policies, practices, and procedures and to
provide a forum in which citizens may address police matters.
(b)
The Board may assist in the development of programs and strategies
to promote positive community/government relations by providing opportunities
for discussion, communication and understanding and thereby enhance
the quality of life in the City of Pittsfield.
(c)
Receive complaints from members of the public and transmit them to
the Chief of Police for investigation, using the Citizen Complaint
Form, with observations and recommendations as the Board shall determine.
(d)
To review all final investigative reports regarding citizen complaints
and make policy recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding the
complaints.
(e)
Provide a written report annually to the City Council concerning
the disposition of all complaints and appeals, the Board's activities
and findings, and the Board's recommendations.
(f)
The Board may, as it deems appropriate, summarize and comment on
citizen concerns and transmit their reports or findings to the Chief
of Police, the Mayor and the City Council.
[Ord. No. 1211, § I, 1-22-2019]
The Police Chief or his or her designee is encouraged to attend
Board meetings and shall attend Board meetings as may be reasonably
requested to provide information and advice in order to enable the
Committee to fulfill its mission.
The Chief of Police shall transmit all final investigative reports
to the Board within 60 days of completion.
[Ord. No. 532, § 1, 1-22-1986; Ord. No. 1065, § I, 2-26-2013; Ord. No. 1124, § I, 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1133, § II, 7-14-2015; Ord. No. 1211, § I, 1-22-2019]
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The Police Advisory and Review Board shall consist of no more
than 11 members, all of whom shall be appointed by the Mayor and subject
to City Council approval. The members shall receive all appropriate
training, including training in the current complaint process, from
initial complaint to final determination. Each member shall serve
without compensation. The Mayor shall appoint at least one member
with law enforcement experience and at least one member from each
of the following organizations: the Human Rights Commission; the local
chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People; and from the local faith communities, the youth community,
and the immigrant community. The Mayor shall, to the extent possible,
appoint members that are representative of the City's diversity of
neighborhoods, races, and cultures, abilities, incomes, and sexual
orientations.
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In accordance with Section 10-6 of Article 10 of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, the Committee shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Recording Secretary. The Chairperson shall conduct each meeting. In the Chairperson's absence, the Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson. The Recording Secretary shall prepare the agenda, post proper notice of meetings, maintain a record of dates of appointment of members and their attendance, prepare the minutes of each meeting, transmit all records to the City Clerk, and perform those duties customarily provided by a Recording Secretary.
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Each member shall serve for a term of three years; however,
the initial appointments shall consist of five members that will serve
for two years and six members that will serve for three years. In
the event of a vacancy, the Mayor shall appoint a successor as soon
as practicable, subject to City Council approval, and said successor
shall fulfill the unexpired term of the member whose seat was vacated.
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Members may be removed by the Mayor for cause, subject to the
approval of the majority of the City Council. Members may be reappointed
by the Mayor upon request at the end of their three-year term. No
person may serve more than two consecutive terms as a member of the
Board.
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The Board shall meet a minimum of quarterly and up to twice
a month as determined by a majority of the Board.
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[Ord. No. 1211, § I, 1-22-2019]
(a)
Members of the Civilian Review Board shall be volunteers approved
by the City Council, who immediately prior to appointment shall be
a resident of the City.
(b)
Members of the Board shall neither be a current employee of the City
nor an immediate family member of a current City Police Department
employee.
[Ord. No. 1211, § I, 1-22-2019; Ord.
No. 1222, § I, 2-11-2020]
Board members shall participate in a training program to be
developed by the Police Chief and the Personnel Department that covers
topics including but not limited to;
(a)
The current procedures for filing and investigating complaints.
(b)
The elements of a thorough investigation, including a review of actual
case files from a closed investigation.
(c)
The policies of the PPD regarding respectful treatment of civilians.
(d)
The policies of the PPD regarding appropriate use of force.
(e)
Hearing procedures and requirements under the provisions of the Civil
Service Laws and collective bargaining agreements for the conduct
of administrative disciplinary hearings.
(g)
Any other training as recommended by the Chief of Police or Board
members.
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As part of the training a set of reference materials should
be provided to each Board member. These materials should include copies
of all relevant Massachusetts statutes, all PPD policies and procedures
regarding officer misconduct and use of force, and a copy of this
article. This training should be repeated annually or when new members
are appointed to the Board.
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Members shall participate in a Pittsfield Police Department
ride along two times during each calendar year.
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