FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: City Clerk - (573) 874-7207
Applications are being accepted for Citizens Police Review Board
COLUMBIA, MO (August 6, 2009) - The City Clerk?s Office is accepting applications for the Citizens Police Review Board. The purpose of this new board is to provide an external and independent process for review of actual or perceived misconduct thereby increasing police accountability to the community and community trust in the police. In addition, in the future, this board will host public meetings and educational programs and recommend police policies, procedures and training.
The board will consist of eight members appointed by the City Council and a member of the Commission on Human Rights appointed by the commission.
Members must be residents of Columbia and registered voters. In addition, members must not be employed by the city, be a party to any pending litigation against the city, be an elected public office holder or be a candidate for elected public office. Members should also reflect the cultural and racial diversity of Columbia and have no serious criminal record. A criminal history of all applicants of this board will be obtained and the City Council will be advised of any convictions for violations of federal, state or local law. Additional information, such as full name, date of birth, all states resided in and social security number, will be required in order to obtain this criminal history.
Applicants should be aware of significant time commitments needed to serve on this board, especially for required orientation and training at the start of membership. Orientation and training will include review of the Police Department?s Professional Standards Unit?s operating policies, riding along with an on-duty police officer and topics recommended by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).
Applications can be obtained at the City Clerk?s Office or can be found on the city?s Web site: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/vacancies.php. Applications must be returned to the City Clerk?s Office, 701 E. Broadway, 4th Floor, by noon on Friday, Sept. 4.
The city ordinance creating the Citizens Police Review Board may be viewed online at: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Commissions/cpreview.php.
