TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Topeka group is pushing to establish a citizen review board to improve the relationship between the community and the city’s police department, create transparency and hold officers more accountable.
“A citizens’ review board will help to give a greater voice to the community,” said Oshara Meesha, a member of Topekans for Racial Justice, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal reported (https://j.mp/2hEIH52 ).
Police spokeswoman Amy McCarter noted that Chief James Brown has already established a nine-member advisory board to encourage cooperation between police and citizens on law enforcement practices, and to provide the chief with perspective on policy development, education and community outreach. She said Brown asked the board for input on a new use of force policy in March, and that the department is willing to consider all suggestions from the public.
Brown is stepping down on Jan. 1 to become the Kansas National Guard’s command senior enlisted leader. Maj. Kris Kramer, who will be interim police chief, plans to continue the advisory board, McCarter said.
Advisory board member Stephanie Mott praised Brown’s outreach efforts and said no discussion on establishing a citizen review board “with limited powers” should occur before a new chief is appointed.
Topekans for Racial Justice was formed after a series of fatal police shootings during the summer across the U.S. A meeting in Topeka in August ended in chaos after angry protesters drowned out Brown’s remarks.
Spencer Crowl, who leads a working group that has been studying citizen review models in similar-sized cities, said he would like the review board to be independent from the police department, with members undergoing training to understand law enforcement responsibilities. The board would hear and assess complaints, as well as collect data on race-related questions.
“Cops have the hardest job in the world,” Crowl said. “But police policing themselves does not work.”
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, https://www.cjonline.com
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