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2–2 tie leaves excessive-force determination unresolved; board flags ordinance limits
Summary
A 2–2 vote on a chief's finding that an excessive-force allegation was unfounded left the board without a majority to sustain or overturn that finding; the chair noted the ordinance lacks a clear mechanism for tie results and suggested considering ordinance changes or odd-numbered membership to prevent similar stalemates.
When the board voted on the chief's finding that an allegation of excessive force was unfounded, the roll call produced a 2–2 split and the motion did not carry. The chair told the room the split meant the board could not reach a majority and said the current ordinance does not provide a clean path for this outcome.
The chair commented on the procedural consequence of even-member attendance: "So we have a a 2 2 vote." He added that the ordinance allows for a "no finding" in other contexts but that such an option did not neatly fit the present subsection and that the board would likely raise this process issue in its forthcoming letter to the chief.
