Committee forwards Civilian Review Board policies to council and delays appointments to Sept. 8

The Organizational Development Standing Committee voted to forward Resolution 2025‑R20 establishing policies and procedures for the Civilian Review Board to the full council with a recommendation to approve. Joe Lowery, the Civilian Review Board manager, summarized the board's scope: reviewing internal police investigations related to officer‑involved shootings, deaths or serious injuries in custody, allegations of physical or verbal abuse by officers, appeal hearings, and advising on law‑enforcement practices and policies.

No members of the public testified either in favor or opposition at the committee public hearing on the policies and procedures. Lowery said the application review process had produced approximately 56 initial applicants; a working group interviewed 13 candidates and proposed eight finalists. The mayor will make four mayoral appointments and council will appoint four members.

Council members debated whether to proceed with appointments at the committee meeting or continue to a later date so new council members could review candidate materials. Council Member Trammell asked for additional time; Council Member Bridal urged moving forward so the board could begin its work. The committee voted to continue the appointment decisions to the council informal meeting on September 8, with final appointment at the formal meeting later that day.

Staff said appointments will be staggered for three‑year, two‑year and one‑year terms; council and mayor each appoint four members. Council asked to receive candidate materials and clarified that appointees may not serve on more than two boards per city policy. Lowery asked council members to volunteer for an interview panel when the position recruitment proceeds.

The committee also approved forwarding the policies resolution after a motion and second; the committee vote on Resolution 2025‑R20 was recorded as unanimous in favor.