Board plans closed-session review of three substantiated complaints as training for new members

The Citizens Police Review Board agreed to begin its complaint-review work by examining three substantiated Internal Affairs complaints from 2024 as a training exercise for newer members.

Board members and staff discussed previous review practices and said using a small set of sustained complaints would help new members learn how complaint files are organized and what thresholds Internal Affairs uses to sustain allegations. Members emphasized that reviewing sustained cases can be educational even though the board’s more critical oversight role ordinarily focuses on appeals or cases not sustained by Internal Affairs.

Rose Meyer (staff liaison) said the board could review prior-year unappealed complaints and that, if police grant access to files, staff would place a closed-session item on next month’s agenda so members could discuss the materials in closed session (consistent with statute-based exemptions). The board asked that the three cases include different allegation types where possible to provide a representative sample rather than duplicate issues.

Members suggested forming smaller working groups pairing new and experienced members to process files efficiently. Staff noted strict timelines apply to formal appeals when they occur; training reviews do not carry the same statutory deadlines but do prepare members for urgent appeals when they arise.

Ending: The board reached consensus to pursue the three-case review, staff will seek police access and add a closed-session review item to the February agenda, and members agreed to form working groups for review work.