Council committee finalizes initial terms for Community Police Review Board; one at-large seat remains vacant

The Community Relations Committee approved a substitute resolution establishing initial terms for members of the newly formed Community Police Review Board and forwarded the measure with a favorable recommendation to the full council.

Committee members discussed the need to seat a remaining at-large vacancy; the committee chair and several members asked staff to expedite appointment so the board can operate with a full nine-member complement. Committee discussion also focused on training obligations for volunteer members: committee members and public speakers confirmed that the citizen-police academy is required and that ride-alongs (about 12 hours) are part of the onboarding before board members may complete rides.

Bob Masters, attorney and counsel to the Community Police Review Board, addressed the committee and praised members’ volunteer service. He said board members have been meeting, that Pastor King and the review office staff had asked members about their preferred terms, and that filling the remaining seat would allow the board to reach a simpler majority for complaint dispositions. "We have an obligation to close complaints, and it requires 5 votes to close a complaint," Masters said; he added that with nine active members the board would operate by simple majority rather than a supermajority.

Committee members agreed to accept the substitute and move the resolution to the full council. Committee members also asked staff to provide clearer information about the time commitment for prospective volunteers so council members can recruit candidates for the outstanding at-large appointment.

Public comment included a statement of support from Bob Masters, who asked council members to "staff us up with 9 members." The committee passed the substitute unanimously; the resolution will go to the full Common Council for final action.