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Civilian Police Review Board to take up taser-use reviews in October; videos posted to portal
Summary
The board deferred detailed taser-use reviews to its October meeting; body-camera and taser-cartridge videos and reports are available in the board portal for pre-review. Staff emphasized the board can make recommendations to the police chief but does not rule on individual officers' justification.
The Civilian Police Review Board agreed on Aug. 27 to reschedule its review of recent taser uses to its next meeting in October and urged members to review uploaded body-worn‑camera and taser‑device video before then. Board staff said the videos and accompanying reports are already in the board portal and provided guidance for locating the files.
The reviews are part of the board’s statutory responsibilities under the city ordinance that requires the board to examine taser usage. Board members were reminded that the panel reviews instances of use (and historically also displays) to inform recommendations, but does not make formal determinations of whether an officer’s use of force was legally justified.
Board staff member Carla Boyd said the materials are being organized for easier review and told new member Renee Nicholson she would receive an orientation and access to the portal. Boyd also told the board, “you can also provide recommendations. If you see something in the taser, dis, discharge video, you can make you can make recommendations to the chief.”
Board members and staff discussed how the portal flags and files taser reviews: Lt. Cervantes compiles the review videos and reports, Wendy Murphy prepares redactions, and staff now maintain a spreadsheet tracking review tasks and deadlines. The board noted that, because of the volume of incidents, the panel now focuses on discharged‑taser incidents rather than every display. Members were told the officer assigned to the board, Lieutenant Cervantes, will attend the October meeting to answer questions about the videos.
Discussion only — no disciplinary findings were made at the meeting. The procedural decision to move the scheduled taser reviews to October was announced; staff will notify members and list the specific file names for the new uploads in the portal so reviewers can go directly to the relevant records.
