Public raises concerns about oversight process, outside advisory committee and alleged police conduct at Syracuse CRB meeting

Speakers at the Oct. 2 Syracuse City Citizens Review Board meeting pressed the board for clarity on an external advisory committee to review bylaws and brought a complaint alleging misconduct by Syracuse police officers.

Resident and longtime oversight observer Barry Gewanter urged the board to make any external advisory committee meetings open to the public and to publish the committee's charge. "History always informs the present," Gewanter said, urging transparency in how the board approaches proposed changes to its enabling legislation and bylaws. The administrator responded that the committee is still in planning, that legal counsel will advise on what can be discussed and who will participate, and that the board will provide public information once matters are settled.

During the public‑comment period, Desiree Yagan said she had submitted an earlier email and had posted video clips on YouTube that form the basis of a complaint against Syracuse police officers she named as Officer Frollo, Officer Sticca and Sergeant Webb. Yagan described alleged First and Fourth Amendment violations and said body‑worn‑camera footage supports her account. "It is the basis for my complaint against Syracuse police officer Frollo, officer Sticca, and Sergeant Webb," Yagan said.

The chair noted that complaints against police officers must be submitted in writing for the CRB to consider and that the board will take the written complaint under advisement with the administrator. A board staff member reiterated that operational questions about police programs (for example, the drone first responder program Yagan referenced) are matters for the Syracuse Common Council.

A member of the public raised a potential conflict‑of‑interest concern about the CRB's new executive secretary, who previously worked for the Syracuse Police Department for many years. The commenter said national guidance from NACOLE (the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement) cautions about hiring former police employees for oversight positions. The administrator said legal counsel had advised that the staff member's prior employment does not constitute a disqualifying conflict and that her experience has been an operational asset.

Board members asked members of the public to file formal complaints in writing so staff and legal counsel can review them. The meeting then moved to an executive session to discuss caseload items that could not be addressed publicly.

No formal board action on the advisory committee or on the complaint was taken in public; the board said it will follow legal counsel guidance and notify interested parties of next steps.