65D - POLICE OVERSIGHT - Laserfiche WebLink

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR, JOSEPH ORTIZ "EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT, BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN SERVE." REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR I have been privileged to serve on the City of Riverside's Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) for the last eight years. This year will be my last year, and I am especially proud to have had the privilege to serve as Chair. This year we had a significant changing of the guard, and the CPRC is excited to see such qualified new Commissioners fill our ranks: At the beginning of the year, the CPRC swore in Norma Berrellez (Ward 6), Phil DeBrier (Ward 4), Michael Levine (Citywide), and Eileen Teichert (Citywide). Just before the end of the year, Isaac Hirales joined us representing Ward 1. Each brings a fresh perspective and a passion for public service. I would like to thank the City Council for their thoughtful selection of truly well -qualified individuals. These new Commissioner benefited from the Commissioner Handbook and the training that was developed by the CPRC the preceding year, and they are already providing valuable insight and analysis. I have often told friends and community members that the City of Riverside is blessed to have civilian oversight, and we are double blessed to have such dedicated Commissioners serving our great City. The CPRC continues to excel in outreach under the leadership of Outreach Committee Chair Greg Smith. Kudos to Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Artemese Evans for their tireless work. The CPRC continues to reach our most at -risk communities to inform and educate. Brochures, in both English and Spanish, are regularly available at community centers and libraries throughout the City. Each Commissioner has committed to provide presentations and direct outreach at neighborhood and community meetings, and our social media presence continues to grow. Information on the CPRC is also regularly provided by infographic distributed by council newsletter, as well as on electric signs within the City. Of course, the CPRC has also been hard at work providing civilian oversight. As the Council is aware, the CPRC reviews all matters that relate to an officer -involved death. We recently completed our review of the actions of the officers who handled the tragedy at Castleview Elementary School in October of 2017, and we were pleased to report that our review concluded that the officers' actions were within policy. This year we also reviewed 49 allegations of performance deficiencies; 18 allegations of discourtesy; 14 allegations of exceeding lawful peace powers; 12 allegations of general misconduct; 8 allegations of failure to take reasonable action; and 6 allegations of discrimination. As you can see, the CPRC puts in work. I am a proud member of the CPRC, and I am very thankful to my dedicated and thoughtful colleagues and support staff. The CPRC may have been born out of controversy, but I truly believe we continue to meet our mission: "To promote public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the sworn staff of the Riverside Police Department." 65D-97