Public commenters urge caution on NSA exit, cite unresolved racial‑bias questions and data gaps

Two public commenters during the Aug. 17 meeting told the ad hoc committee the commission should press the court for funding assurances before seeking dismissal of the federal monitor and raised concerns about unresolved racial‑bias issues.

Miss Cleveland told the panel: "The first thing that's needed is fully funding for the police commission." She argued that dismissal of the monitor shifts oversight obligations to the inspector general and the commission and urged conditioning monitor dismissal on fully funding the commission and the IG.

Another commenter, introduced by the chair as Miss Alebala, warned that the NSA resulted from a lawsuit and a set of required reforms addressing police brutality, racial profiling and falsified records. She said the department had sidelined an outside report by Dr. Everhart on implicit bias and that stop data has not been adequately presented in recent years, arguing those gaps undermine confidence in a premature celebration of an NSA exit.

The panel heard both comments before adjourning and flagged follow-up: commissioners agreed to seek more information from the city attorney about any transition plan and to use careful wording in the CMC to press for funding without jeopardizing political support for oversight.