Lakewood council opts for citizen-led ad hoc group to study police oversight, sets rules on access and staffing

Lakewood — The Lakewood City Council on Dec. 15 decided to pursue a citizen-led ad hoc committee to study police oversight and community relations, voting through a set of preliminary procedural decisions intended to protect confidential materials while ensuring broad community participation.

Councilors Isabel Cruz and Mayor Pro Tem Shaharzai presented two draft approaches for the review body and recommended the citizen-led option. Councilors voted to begin with Option B — a resident-driven, year-long ad hoc committee that would include people with lived experience and professional expertise and produce policy recommendations and a final report. Mayor Pro Tem Shaharzai said the committee is intended as “another tool in the toolbox,” not a punitive measure against the police.

Why it matters: The vote responds to community calls for greater transparency and followed the death earlier this year of Jax Raton, though the council explicitly avoided discussing the ongoing investigation. Supporters said a citizen-led committee could surface patterns and recommend training and policy changes; opponents warned a reactive body could…