Item 4: Appointments to Civilian Review Board

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Appointments to Civilian Review Board Meeting Date: April 9, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: Police Auditor Staff Contact: Cristina Beamud www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5005 ISSUE STATEMENT This item is to propose the selection of a five-member Civilian Review Board and to appoint members to this new board. BACKGROUND City Council Ordinance Number 20374 was adopted on December 13, 2006, establishing the authority and parameters of the work to be performed by the Civilian Review Board and the Police Auditor. The ordinance authorizes the City Council to appoint a five- or seven-member board. As per the ordinance, the members of the board are to be residents of the city, 18 years or older and able to pass a background investigation. The following characteristics should be considered by the council when appointing members to the board. 1.A demonstrated ability to be fair, impartial and unbiased; 2.An absence of any real or perceived bias, prejudice or conflict of interest; 3.A record of community involvement; 4.An ability to build working relationships and communicate effectively with diverse groups; and 5.A demonstrated commitment to the purpose of the ordinance. Recruitment began on January 1 and closed on January 31, 2007. Thirty-nine applications were received. Members of the council received copies of the applications. Nine individuals were recommended by the Mayor’s Screening Committee. The council interviewed fifteen candidates on March 7. In order to organize the appointment of board, a preliminary poll was conducted to determine whether the council would appoint five or seven members. The preliminary poll indicates that at least five councilors are in favor of appointing five members, thus there is a motion to appoint five members to the Civilian Review Board. The council may elect to begin with five members and enlarge the board at a later date. The second matter for consideration is the appointment of members to the board. If the council appoints five members to the board, three of the members will be for a two-year term and two of the members will be for a three-year term. If there is a seven-member Civilian Review Board, four members will have a two-year term and three members will have a three-year term. In order to be consistent with established City practice, the terms will begin on November 1 and end on October 31. The initial appointments will be adjusted accordingly. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070409\S0704094.doc