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aPolice Review Commission 2019 Annual Report <br />1. Sustained: <br />the alleged act did occur, and was not justified; <br />Page 5 <br />2 Not Sustained: the evidence fails to support the allegation, however it has not <br />been proven false; <br />3. Unfounded the alleged act did not occur; and <br />4. Exonerated. the alleged act did occur but was lawful, justified and proper. <br />Complainant Advocates. Since the fall of 2017, students at LIC Berkeley Law School <br />have, through the Berkeley Police Review Project, assisted people who file individual <br />complaints with the PRC and desire representation throughout the process. These <br />services are provided free of charge. Law students have since helped several <br />complainants prepare for theircases. Because subjectofficers are usually represented <br />at hearings, the Commission believes that complainants feel less intimidated and <br />better prepared having an advocate assist them before and during the hearing. <br />MEDIATION — an alternative to investigation <br />After an individual files a complaint, he or she may opt for mediation. This will go forward <br />if the officer who is the subject of the complaint agrees. Mediations are conducted by an <br />independent, professional mediator. A mediation gives both the complainant and the <br />subject officer the opportunity to speak and respond to each other in a respectful <br />environment. At the conclusion of mediation, the complaint is closed and the Commission <br />is notified. Once mediation is completed and the complaint closed, the complainant cannot <br />opt for an investigation. <br />A policy complaint is a request from a member of the public to the Commission to review <br />a particular BPD policy, practice, or procedure, because the complainant believes that the <br />policy could be improved or should be revised. Complaints or concerns about BPD <br />policies are presented by staff to the full commission at a regular meeting. The <br />Commission may conduct its own review; form a subcommittee to review the policy, or <br />ask staff to conduct an investigation or take other action, and present a report at a future <br />meeting. After conducting its own review, or receiving a report from a subcommittee or <br />staff, the PRC may close the complaint without further action or recommend changes in <br />policy, practice or procedures to the BPD and the City Manager. <br />65D-22 <br />