65D - POLICE OVERSIGHT - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapter 8. Making Decisions Regarding the Model of Oversight Used What information will 1 need to determine the appropriate accountability model for my community? Structure The first thing to consider when determining the appropriate model of oversight is the structure you believe will work best for your specific community. Generally an agency falls into one of four categories: 1. Conducts independent investigations 2. Reviews or hears appeals of internal police investigations 3. Audits or monitors police policy, training, and investigations, or conducts systemic investigations 4. Shapes or manages policy, advises chief law enforcement executives, or participates in hiring processes Many current structures in the United States are considered hybrid models that combine multiple aspects of the above categories to create a mechanism that is believed to be the most advantageous. Current trends have seen the focus of oversight agencies move away from being reactive and move toward being proactive, with the aim of preventing misconduct rather than solely responding to it. There are more than 200 civilian oversight entities across the United States, and no two are exactly alike. Differences in specific function commonly result from what is permissible by state law or municipal ordinance, the autonomy allowed by the executive or legislative branch, and the relationship with, or access to, the law enforcement agency, its employees, and its records. Duties, Powers, and Authority In trying to evaluate the benefits and limitations of the different oversight models, it is important to understand that different levels of authority and independence will strongly impact the agency's credibility and perceptions of its value and impact. It is therefore important to think carefully about the agency's proposed duties, powers, and authority. 22 65D-151