Council discusses loosening appointment criteria for Citizen Complaint Review Board to fill vacancies

Huber Heights council discussed proposed code amendments Sept. 2 that would broaden the appointment criteria for the Citizen Complaint Review Board, a body council created by legislation in 2023.

Staff and council members said the original ordinance set narrowly defined racial-category and affiliation criteria for appointments, which has made recruitment difficult. Under the proposed revisions, the CCRB would have five to seven voting members who are residents and the language would require the board's membership to be balanced to reflect the culture and diversity of the community rather than assigning seats by specific census categories or fixed affiliations.

Councilmembers and staff stressed the change is intended to expand the applicant pool and allow the board to be constituted and ready should a complaint arise. Jeffrey, who asked the Cultural and Diversity Commission for input, reported informal feedback from commission members; some supported the changes and others had not responded in time. Several councilmembers asked that the commission record a formal vote and share the result before final council action.

Council also discussed whether to pursue a regional approach that would include representatives from neighboring jurisdictions; some members recalled earlier interest in a regional model and asked staff to check with surrounding jurisdictions and the commission. The chief of police and city administration were involved in drafting the original CCRB, council members said, and staff agreed to circulate the proposed amendments to the police division and the Cultural and Diversity Commission before moving the ordinance forward.

Council agreed to seek a recorded recommendation from the Cultural and Diversity Commission at its next meeting and to place the draft ordinance on the Sept. 8 agenda as a first reading; councilmembers said they could pursue regional conversations in parallel.