Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eureka oversight board explains independent reviews, community role to Humboldt County Human Rights Commission
Summary
Representatives from the City of Eureka's Community Oversight and Police Practices board described quarterly meetings, an independent auditor (OIR group) that reviews critical incidents and citizen complaints, and how the board provides recommendations to the city manager and council.
Representatives from the City of Eureka's Community Oversight and Police Practices board outlined how independent review of police investigations is intended to increase transparency and public confidence.
Dino Novello, who introduced himself as the chair of the board, said the panel meets quarterly and reviews reports generated both by the Eureka Police Department and by an outside auditor. “The purpose of this board is to increase transparency of and public confidence in public matters, including the complaint process,” Novello told the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission.
Novello and a co-presenter, Larry Gevender, said the board receives independent reviews from a contracted auditor the presenters identified as the OIR group. The auditor reviews internally generated investigative files, critical incidents involving use of force and officer-involved shootings, and citizen complaints; the auditor then issues reports and recommendations to the COPP board and to the city manager.
Presenters cited several reviews the board has examined, including a comprehensive review of a Cal Poly Humboldt protest response and an internal review of a police texting scandal. They said 24 recommendations have been adopted or are being implemented since the OIR reviews began and that the oversight structure has helped with recruitment and morale in the police department.
Commission members asked about appointment processes and council oversight; presenters said city council appoints COPP members from public applications after city staff review, and that the auditor serves under a professional services agreement overseen by the city manager. Novello said COPP annually reviews the auditor's performance and may provide feedback before the auditor's reports go back to the council.
The presentation closed with a reminder that COPP meetings are open to the public and that the board invites community organizations to present and comment. Novello encouraged those interested in participating to contact Shannon Fazio, whom he identified as the executive assistant to the city manager.
Next steps: commissioners were offered time to follow up with presenters and were told COPP's public reports are available on the City of Eureka website.
