65D - POLICE OVERSIGHT - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapter 3. Steps in establishing oversight 1) You must first have a core group of citizens who are sufficiently concerned about the issue and who are willing to unite and work together over an extended period of time. This core group should seek out training, support, and resources prior to establishing a formal planning or advisory committee. If not, the community's voice risks being disregarded or marginalized once professional stakeholders become involved in the process. 2) Begin by framing the public discussion and inviting broad public input. Emphasize that the purpose is improving trust between police and the community by ensuring public confidence in the agency through accountability and transparency. The end goal is to deliver the most professional and effective police services possible to the community. Invite police officials and union representatives to be a part of the conversation from the start. Get their input and make it clear to them that their suggestions and concerns are valuable to the process. a. Acquire/develop and publicize data that clearly demonstrates a local need for civilian oversight (e.g., costs of past lawsuits, history of injuries, high ratio of use of force to arrest, or a lack of public confidence in policing agency). b. Make sure that meetings occur one-on-one and in public forums so that as many people have the ability to participate as possible. In addition, it is important that a method that assures complete transparency in the process be employed. 3) Establish a planning or advisory committee composed of elected officials, legal advisors, police officials, police union representatives, and community advocates. Begin to meet regularly to educate the group on the pros and cons of various oversight models, legal requirements, collective bargaining limitations, or other issues. a. Identify sources of resistance and issues of contention and begin to address the concerns or neutralize the resistance. b. A skilled negotiator or professional facilitator may be helpful if communication becomes difficult or begins to break down. 4) Identify sources of technical assistance such as NACOLE, the Department of Justice, local bar associations, and practitioners of civilian oversight in other jurisdictions. Visit oversight agencies in other jurisdictions to learn from their staff and observe their procedures. 5) Identify the proposed agency's objectives and scope. a. Will the agency accept complaints of police misconduct? If so, what types of complaints will be accepted, and from whom? Will the agency investigate complaints, or review them? Will the agency make both disciplinary and policy/training recommendations? Who shall be the final decision maker for complaint disposition? What should happen when 12 65D-141