Document of Interest Provided By Councilmember Hamann on Civilian Review Boards

Home Browse Search

Exhibit 2–19 shows the auditor’s budget for fiscal year 1997–98—when the office was created—and for 1998–99. As shown, the startup budget was $144,150, with almost 68 percent allocated to staff salaries. In addi- tion, $37,400 were allocated for what are likely to be one-time expenses, such as the purchase of office furni- ture and computer equipment and software. As a result, the requested 1998–99 budget is only $118,710, with 87 percent allocated to staff salaries. Citizen Police Advisory Review Board The Citizen Police Advisory Review Board has seven voting members. It also has seven nonvoting members— four community advocate members and one member each appointed by the city manager’s office, police department, and police union. The board elected Suzanne Elefante as its first chairperson. Board operations As shown in exhibit 2–18, the city ordinance authorizes the board to: 1. Refer citizens who wish to file complaints to the auditor and the police department. 2. Request the auditor to monitor a particular case and present her findings. 3. Ask the police department to review a completed case. 4. Review completed IA investigations itself for fairness and thoroughness. The board spent most of 1997–98 getting organized, including developing its procedures, establishing subcommittees, and training board members. Intake About eight citizens a month call their council representa- tives to complain about alleged police misconduct. Most council members give them the name and telephone num- ber of the member of the review board whom they have appointed along with the auditor’s telephone number. Board members, in turn, typically refer complainants to the auditor because the citizens are usually already unhappy with the IA investigation. When citizens file a complaint with the board, not with an individual member, Suzanne Elefante checks to see whether Liana Perez is already auditing the case. If she is, Elefante asks her to report her findings to the board; if not, Elefante asks her to audit it. Appeals of completed investigations Complainants who are dissatisfied with the IA investiga- tion or the auditor’s review may ask the board to review their cases. If the board agrees to review the complaint, it requests and receives IA’s case files to examine between meetings. (State law makes IA investigations matters of public record.) The board may ask Liana Perez to do additional investigation or answer questions about the case if the auditor has already audited the case. After hearing from Perez, the board may recommend a differ- ent finding to the chief or the city council, but it has no power to enforce its recommendations. Involvement of the public The board meets from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month in the main downtown library. The city clerk’s office places notices of board and subcommit- tee meetings in newspapers and in city hall. The meeting begins with a “call to the audience”for any complaints and issues, with each person allowed to talk for up to 5 minutes. The board puts issues requiring more attention on the agenda for a future meeting, including com- plainants who wish to appeal an IA or auditor finding to the board. The auditor provides an update on the cases C ITIZEN R EVIEW OF P OLICE: APPROACHES AND I MPLEMENTATION 65 EXHIBIT 2–19.TUCSON INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEARS 1997–98 AND 1998–99 1997/1998 1998/1999 Expenditure (adopted) (requested) Salaries $77,220 $84,680 Fringe benefits 20,120 18,830 Public liability insurance 820 490 Office supplies 1,280 1,200 Hazardous waste insurance 50 60 Remodeling 20,000 500 Telephone 3,760 3,800 Duplication 3,500 3,500 Office furniture 5,000 1,000 Computers 7,000 0 Software 5,400 600 Maintenance of office equipment 0 180 Information technology 0 1,000 Memberships 0 350 Miscellaneous – 1,020 Conference fees – 1,500 Total $144,150 $118,710