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Commissioners debate a permanent police community advisory board; discussion held for further study
Summary
A resolution to create a standing community advisory board for the DeKalb County Police Department prompted divided views: its sponsor said it would sustain CALEA‑style civilian engagement, police and some commissioners urged clarity on purpose and scope; the board held the item for follow‑up and several routine funding items were approved.
Commissioners discussed a resolution to establish a permanent community advisory board to partner with the DeKalb County Police Department, but asked staff and police to return with clearer purpose, membership criteria and recommendations before formal adoption.
Commissioner Terry (S5), who opened the agenda item, said CALEA (the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) empanels civilian panels during accreditation and the proposed standing board would make that outreach ongoing and formalized; appointments would come from commissioners and the CEO and law would draft structure and operational guidelines.
A police representative (S10) urged caution and clarity, saying permanent boards in some jurisdictions grow out of serious problems and can carry negative connotations. The police speaker said DeKalb currently maintains strong community ties and recommended articulating the board’s exact role — whether it would focus on engagement activities or address policy and discipline — before creating a permanent body.
Several commissioners supported the concept as a way to sustain good relations and transparency; others asked for more information, including recommendations from a recent assessment (referred to as the Malden Jenkins assessment) so the board can determine whether a standing body would duplicate or complement existing task forces. Police said they would provide precinct‑level activity reports showing routine community outreach.
The board agreed to continue the conversation at a later meeting and to have law and the police department develop the detailed structure and training recommendations. In the meantime the committee held the resolution and asked staff to return with data and the M & J assessment recommendations.
Votes at a glance: commissioners approved several routine items before adjourning. The committee approved minutes and then voted to defer item 0390 (fire station projects) for 30 days after a motion and second; the committee approved a SPLOST II allocation not to exceed $100,000 for renovation assessments at fire stations 18, 19 and 20; and it approved a Project Safe Neighborhoods microgrant of $36,963 to buy gun safes for distribution. Each motion carried on a voice vote when the chair called for "All in favor, aye."
