Council adopts revised Community Public Safety Advisory Board charter over objections

Fayetteville City Council voted 9–1 on May 26 to adopt a revised charter and reconstitute the Community Public Safety Advisory Board, moving the advisory body toward a broader, holistic approach to community safety.

Councilmember McMillan pressed for removing language that would require board members to attend the Citizens Police Program, saying such a mandate risks “induction” rather than broadening participation and that it shortchanges mental health and unhoused-services professionals. McMillan said the council should send the charter back to work session for further changes but his motions to revise or to return the item failed for lack of a second or were defeated.

Mayor Pro Tem moved to adopt the version presented by staff, a motion seconded by Councilmember Haire. After discussion that included arguments both for the revised board’s broader remit and concerns about the Citizens Police Program requirement, the council adopted the charter with a single vote in opposition from McMillan.

Supporters of the charter said it represents progress by expanding the board’s focus beyond policing to community services and a more holistic view of safety. Opponents cautioned that mandating police-program participation would deter applicants and might undercut the board’s ability to include non-police perspectives.

The council’s action formalizes the new composition and authorities described in the adopted charter and directs staff to implement the changes. The council did not approve the alternative language McMillan proposed to make Citizens Police Program attendance optional.

The adopted action was recorded as a formal motion and carried with the vote recorded at the meeting.