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<br />Police C?9._~p'lajnt Sys~~!:!:1 and Civm~n Oversight Recomme~9ations <br /> <br />protected in any new system that is implemented. In the commission's proposed model, <br />there are several elements that \\fill require negotiation with the union to enable the <br />contractual changes necessary to implement the system. <br /> <br />11. How will members of the review board be selected to ensure broad community <br />representation? <br /> <br />The police commission believes that the review board's success lies in its ability to be <br />impartial. To achieve this, the review board membership should reflect the community, but <br />not be appointed to represent any particular constituency or organization. The commission <br />has suggested a selection process that involves a Mayor~appointed community panel that will <br />screen applications using a set of standard criteria, and forward a pool of candidates for City <br />Council consideration. If the charter amendment passes, the City Council wlll ultimately <br />make the review board member selection decisions. <br /> <br />12. How wiff we know if the oversight system is effective? <br /> <br />Experience in other communities indicates that civilian oversight systems are continually <br />evolving as direct experience grows and national best practices are established. A robust <br />database will be developed as part of the system to enable tracking and analysis of <br />complaints as they move through the system. The commission plans to evaluate the <br />complaint system six months and a year after implementation to determine where <br />improvements are needed. This may include both a review of the data collected and <br />satisfaction surveys of people involved in the system (review board members, police <br />employees, complainants, etc.). <br /> <br />VII. Outstanding Issues and Next Steps <br /> <br />Jurisdiction ofO~fr?ighLMode1 <br /> <br />One oft11e overarching, but unresolved, issues sUlTounding the oversight proposal is a <br />detemlination of which police department employees would. be subject to the new procedures, <br />There are several key issues to consider when making a decision regarding the scope of authority <br />for the oversight system. The unique role and broad autht)rity police officers have, which in tum <br />has the most potential for abuse of power and community impact, is the primary impetus for <br />additional civilian oversight It is this role that distinguishes police ofticers from other city <br />employees. Therefore, an oversight system that applies to sworn officers only would be a <br />reasonable and practical delineation, and not inconsistent with the direction taken in other <br />communities. <br /> <br />However, another underlying principle is the desire to facilitate systemic change in the police <br />organiz.ation. Limiting the scope of authority for both the auditor and the board to reviews of <br />swom employees may counteract this objective. Other key considerations include: <br /> <br />o Providing a consistent process across employees \"Iho work in the same units or have <br />the same job functions within the city; <br />o Applying oversight resources where they will be most effective; <br /> <br />25 <br />