A Public Safety and Community Relations Board (hereinafter "PSCRB" or "Board") is hereby established to:
A. Serve as a citizen advisory committee to the Chief of Police and the City Manager, providing different perspectives on police policy and training that improve police community interactions;
B. Educate the community on the avenues available to civilians to make formal and informal complaints, to assist the community and the police in clarifying and improving procedures related to complaints, and to assure that access to these policies and procedures are open and transparent;
C. Add a resident perspective to the evaluation of civilian complaints, including the timely, fair and objective review of complaints;
D. Identify perceived deficiencies in police-community interactions that when addressed may result in improved interactions and shared understanding; and
E. Provide fair treatment to and protect the rights of civilians and police officers.
[Ord. No. 2017-57]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2017-57; 2-8-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-11]
A. The PSCRB shall consist of nine members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council by a 2/3 vote of all Council Members currently serving.
B. Except as set forth in Subsection
C regarding the two youth members, members shall serve for a three-year term; however, at the inception of the Board, two members shall be appointed for a one-year term, two members for a two-year term, and three members for a three-year term, so that terms are staggered.
C. Two of the nine members shall be youth members (between the ages of 16 and 21), who shall serve a one-year term.
D. The chair and a vice-chair of the Board shall be selected amongst the members of the PSCRB.
E. A majority of the sitting members of the PSCRB shall constitute a quorum.
F. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and confirmed, unless removed from office.
[Ord. No. 2017-57]
The City Legal Department and Police Department shall develop written standards for mandatory orientation and continuing education for all PSCRB members. Once developed, the written standards shall be presented and approved by the City Council.
[Ord. No. 2017-57]
The PSCRB, in consultation with the Legal Department and Police Department, shall develop rules, procedures, and/or bylaws for the transaction of PSCRB business. Said rules, procedures, and/or bylaws shall be reviewed and approved by the City Council.
[Ord. No. 2017-57]
The City Manager shall assign staff, including but not limited to personnel from the Legal Department and Police Department, to assist the PSCRB with its functions and to serve as a conduit to the City Manager.