Committee advances two appointments to Citizens Police Complaint Board

The Indianapolis City-County Council Public Safety Committee on July 16 sent two appointments to the Citizens Police Complaint Board to the full council with due-pass recommendations.

Elise Smith and Jocelyn Mapes each appeared before the committee and answered brief questions from council members before motions to advance their nominations were carried by voice vote.

Elise Smith, who told the committee she moved to Indianapolis to attend Indiana University and has worked as the "associate director for special projects" at Indiana University and participated with Hoosier Women Forward, said she was "interested in serving on the Citizens Police Complaint Board because I believe in the importance of transparent, fair processes that give citizens a voice and hold institutions accountable." Chair Leroy Robinson and several councilors emphasized the importance of mandatory training and ride-alongs for the board.

Jocelyn Mapes described herself as a systems thinker and program manager with experience in aerospace, energy and manufacturing and said she offers skills in operations, accountability systems and…