[Press Release] : Public input on proposed Citizens Police Review Board legislation sought

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2009

Contact:  Paula Hertwig Hopkins
Assistant City Manager
(573) 874-7214

Public input on proposed Citizens Police Review Board legislation
sought during June 8 special City Council meeting

	(COLUMBIA, MO) -- Columbia City Council will hold a special
meeting Monday, June 8, dedicated to public review and discussion of
proposed legislation that would establish a Citizens Police Review
Board. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Fourth
Floor City Hall, at 701 E. Broadway.
	A first reading of the proposed legislation will occur at the
June 1 City Council meeting. According to Assistant City Manager Paula
Hertwig Hopkins, the City Council requested the June 8 special meeting
to ensure plenty of time for City Council members and the community to
explore specific details and discuss the overall process outlined in the
proposed Citizen Review Board legislation.  
	“This is a complex issue that will affect how the Police
Department and the community work together to increase mutual trust and
understanding,” said Hertwig Hopkins.  

According to Hertwig Hopkins, the proposed legislation includes a
variety of components including the following highlights:
●	The process for written citizen complaints alleging non-criminal
misconduct of a police officer involving interaction with the public;
●	Investigation by the Police Professional Standards Unit;
●	Police chief decision making process regarding complaint;
●	The appeals process for both citizens and police officers;
●	Rules, roles and responsibilities of the Citizens Review Board;
and  
●	The role of the city manager and Personnel Advisory Board in the
appeals process. 
Timeline
	The proposed ordinance is the culmination of efforts by the
Citizen Oversight Committee, and a working group comprised of
representatives of the Columbia Police Department, city staff and
Citizen Oversight Committee members.
●	November 27, 2007 - Mayor Darwin Hindman first convened Citizen
Oversight Committee.
●	November 27, 2007 - August 21, 2008 - the Citizen Oversight
Committee, chaired by Rex Campbell held five public hearings and 16
meetings to review the Police Department’s current citizen complaint
process, evaluate various civilian/citizen review board models and
solicit input from the community.
●	October 22, 2009 - Citizen Oversight Committee reported to City
Council. 
●	November 24, 2008 - City Council requested a work group of staff
and representatives from the Citizen Oversight Committee to develop
legislation supporting the formation of a citizen review board for
Columbia.
●	November 25, 2008 - May 6, 2009 - The work group completed a
review of the Oversight Committee Report, provided a framework for the
Columbia citizen oversight model and worked with the city counselor to
develop proposed legislation.
●	June 1, 2009 - City Council’s first reading of proposed
legislation. 
●	June 8, 2009 - Special City Council meeting dedicated to public
discussion of proposed legislation.
●	June 8, July 2 or August 3, 2009 - Second reading and City
Council vote  

How to view the proposed legislation and other information
	The proposed legislation, flow chart, associated committee
minutes, reports and other documents are available on the home page of
the city’s Web site at www.GoColumbiaMo.com. Click on the announcement
link for Citizens Police Review Board.
	For more information, contact Paula Hertwig Hopkins, assistant
city manager, at 573-874-7214.

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