REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 16, 2017
FROM: Lee Brand, Mayor
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution of Support for the creation of a Citizens' Public Safety Advisory Board (CPSAB) and related changes to the Office of Independent Review (OIR).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the attached resolution supporting Mayor Brand's Citizen's Public Safety Advisory Board (CPSAB)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The creation of CPSAB will enhance trust, accountability and transparency by promoting higher standards of services in the Fresno Police Department. The CPSAB is designed to take a pro-active role in improving the Department and making it more responsive to the needs of the community; which in turn, will increase the public's confidence in the Department by ensuring the consistent application and protection of all citizens under the law. Enhancing the public's trust and confidence in the Police Department will also help to make our police officers safer and more effective in the performance of their duties.
BACKGROUND
The Fresno Police Department relies upon trust within the community to realize its goals of protecting the people of Fresno. Nationally, there have been numerous instances where that trust has been broken, which has led to civil unrest and chaos. While Fresno has done much better than most departments, there is always room for improvement. The Citizen's Public Safety Advisory Board (CPSAB) is being created to build upon previous efforts to instill trust within the community by serving as a liaison between the residents and the Fresno Police Department. The CPSAB will report directly to the Office of Review/Independent Police Auditor (OIR/IPA).
As such, the creation of the CPSAB, will significantly change the role and responsibilities of the OIR, specifically the duties associated with the IPA. These changes include, increased community outreach and deeper participation in internal investigations. In particular, the IPA shall actively monitor Officer Inv...
Click here for full text