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 Involved Shooting investigations and will participate in the Officer Involved Shooting Review Committee. The IPA will provide the CPSAB with the findings of these investigations, pursuant to the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBRA) as well as any recommendations based on these investigations and/or trends. The OIR will continue to actively monitor excessive force and/or unnecessary use of force investigations and report to the Board the results of the investigations in accordance with POBRA. Finally, the OIR/IPA will be required to meet the Chief of Police and the Fresno Police Officers Association on a monthly basis.
The creation of the CPSAB, and subsequent changes to the role and function of the OIR, are based upon a thorough review of best practices of other cities and an extensive collaboration with key stakeholders, including Councilmember Oliver Baines, the Chief of Police, District Attorney, Fresno Police Officers Association, the Mayor’s Advisory Council and numerous community stakeholders and leaders.
The final product represents a unique model unlike any other in the country as it empowers a Citizens’ Public Safety Advisory Board, representing the diverse population of Fresno, with the authority to recommend changes to key police department policies, procedures and practices through a confidential and collaborative process that respects the rights of individual citizens and police officers. Fresno’s CPSAB shall have access to relevant legal and professional technical support to fully understand all relevant issues. This Board will be totally independent and shall be linked to the City via the OIR.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council pass the attached Resolution of Support for Mayor Brand’s Citizens’ Public Safety Advisory Board (CPSAB).
Attachments:
Bylaws
Resolution
Key Provision of the CPSAB