The Nashville Community Review Board on a motion authorized its executive director to return two OPA response documents to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department for correction after staff reported discrepancies between OPA findings and the board’s compliance-review summaries.

Board members said the errors were not merely stylistic and could affect the record of investigations. Executive Director said she reviewed OPA responses and identified cases where the OPA letter’s narrative did not match the documented finding in the MNPD records. “I disagree with OPA’s investigation findings for self identification,” she told the board, adding that in her view the officer’s response “was unsatisfactory.”

Why it matters: the CRB’s work depends on an accurate record of OPA findings and MNPD discipline. When the board’s compliance reviews and the department’s documents diverge — for example, when a finding is listed as “exonerated” in one document but “sustained” elsewhere — it undermines the board’s ability to recommend appropriate follow-up and to keep complainants informed.

Details: the executive director walked the board through specific cases. In one, a traffic stop complaint, she said OPA’s narrative asserted an officer had been sustained for failing to self-identify, while the copy she reviewed showed an apparent “exonerated” finding; she read the language from the OPA file into the record. In another case involving seizure and evidence handling, staff said the OPA response accepted the board’s recommendations but omitted factual details about how evidence (a phone) was retained and logged.

Action taken: Board member motioned and the board voted to “authorize the executive director to return the two documents wherein the mistakes are made.” The motion passed by voice vote.

Board direction and next steps: the executive director proposed convening the MOU committee before the memorandum of understanding expires in November to address procedural clarifications identified during the year-long implementation. Several members said an October meeting with staff and MNPD representatives would be appropriate. The board also asked staff to resend any materials members reported not receiving and to standardize the distribution timeline so members receive materials by the Wednesday before a meeting.

Context: the board noted that the annual MOU renewal creates a practical deadline for resolving how the board and MNPD record findings and exchange body-worn-camera and evidence materials.

Ending: The board gave the executive director authority to seek corrections and agreed to pursue a committee meeting to consider updates to the MOU before its November renewal.