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Tallahassee commission votes 3-2 to repeal Citizens Police Review Board amid protests and legal questions
Summary
The Tallahassee City Commission on Jan. 15 adopted Ordinance 24‑O‑40 to repeal the Citizens Police Review Board (CPRB), prompting extensive public comment and legal debate over whether state law (HB 601) requires the action.
Tallahassee — The Tallahassee City Commission voted 3‑2 Wednesday to adopt Ordinance 24‑O‑40, repealing the city’s Citizens Police Review Board, after a contentious public hearing that drew more than a dozen speakers and split the commission along political lines.
Supporters of keeping the board and residents who addressed the commission argued the board provided civilian oversight and helped build community trust; supporters of repeal and city staff said recent state legislation had preempted local boards and created legal risk.
The board’s repeal was presented to the commission by staff as a compliance step after passage of state House Bill 601. “Since the passage and signing of the bill several municipalities have repealed their boards,” staff told commissioners, citing other Florida cities that have taken similar steps. The city attorney and staff recommended repeal to clear an ordinance that city officials said is no longer enforceable.
Opponents of repeal said HB 601 does not compel Tallahassee to abolish the board. “There is nothing in HB 601 that prohibits boards like the CPRB from conducting any of the activities that…
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