Document of Interest Provided By Councilmember Hamann on Civilian Review Boards

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C HAPTER 5: ADDRESSING I MPORTANT I SSUES IN C ITIZEN O VERSIGHT 96 a foldover business card describing PRC and the complaint filing process. Postings Most oversight bodies are listed in the telephone directo- ry. However, because the agency’s function may not be clear from its name, the public may not realize the agency is the place to contact to file a complaint against the police. Furthermore, even independent oversight bodies are sometimes listed in the phone book under “Police,” which may discourage some citizens from filing complaints because they believe the organization is a part of the police department. San Francisco’s Office of Citizen Complaints is listed in the business section of the phone book twice, once as Office of Citizen Complaints, San Francisco Police Department (boldface), with the police department address, and a second time with OCC’s physical location. The Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority’s (CRA’s) brochures are available, along with CRA busi- ness cards, in a wall display outside the mayor’s office. The city’s free events calendar lists the name and tele- phone number of the Civilian Police Review Authority under the “Police” heading. Media Tucson’s auditor, as do other oversight directors, sends notices of each board agenda to newspapers, radio, and television. The Sunday newspaper lists the next council agenda. Some citizens learn of their jurisdiction’s over- sight body when the media cover a high-profile case of alleged police misconduct that involves the oversight system. A local cable station televises Portland’s board meetings when appeals are heard. Neighborhood groups and other agencies Liana Perez, Tucson’s auditor, sends pamphlets to com- munity and neighborhood centers. She also alerts inter- ested citizen groups to police issues, such as when she told the Southern Arizona People’s Law Center that she was bringing up the issue of off-duty, uniformed officers working for merchants. Orange County Citizen Review Board members distribute their brochure when they give talks to civic groups. Tucson’s auditor uses the city’s Citizen Neighborhood Services Department, a resource office for the city’s 200 neighborhood associations, to send fliers to neighbor- hood associations offering to make presentations. OCC staff in San Francisco usually earn compensatory time to attend street fairs, community meetings, school assem- blies, and other events while off duty to publicize the office. (See “San Francisco’s Office of Citizen Complaints Monitors Selected Public Demonstrations.”) Filing locations The more locations oversight bodies have in the commu- nity where citizens can pick up complaint forms, the eas- ier it will be for individuals to file who may not have the time or assertiveness to travel to a central location. Citizens in San Francisco may file a complaint at any city agency, including the mayor’s office and the sheriff’s Although most oversight bodies have had difficulty making the public aware of their existence and procedures,many have implemented parts of a comprehensive marketing strategy. Publicity materials: • Brochures (some in foreign languages). • Business cards. Postings: • Listings in the telephone directory. • Brochure and business card racks in the mayor’s office. • An Internet site. Media: • Sending notices of hearings to the media. • Placing announcements in newspapers. • Televising hearings. Neighborhood groups and other agencies: • Mailing brochures and business cards. • Making presentations. Filing locations: • Providing filing forms at multiple locations. • Facilitating Internet filing. Referrals by police: • Posting signs in police stations. • Handing out oversight brochures and business cards. EXHIBIT 5–1. OVERSIGHT OUTREACH METHODS