After vetoing the Kennedy Bill, Slay() seems intent on quickly ramming through his proposal with no community input. His bill puts Civilian Review under the control of the police. This is not the independent review required. Police Commissioners have final say regarding CRB membership, and can fire members at any time. The Police control the purse strings. There is inadequate staff designated to carry out the powers granted. They have no ability to conduct investigations or call witnesses. They can sit in on the IAD interrogations of witnesses only after requesting permission from the Chief, and can ask no questions themselves. There is inadequate time allowed for the CRB to get answers on follow up questions.

The Police Board has failed in its oversight duties by allowing the current accountability system to be dysfunctional. Should those who might be embarrassed by a truly effective look at their mistakes be put in charge of the hen house? It will be a setback for Civilian Review to have a plan which fails to deliver on real accountability.

The Mayor claims that this is the only CRB structure which will withstand legal scrutiny. However, the attorney for the Board of Aldermen has vetted the Kennedy Bill and disagrees with the City Counselor’s analysis. More legal opinions are on the way.

The Police Board will be complicit in the Mayor’s sham if they do not act independently. They need to take time to gather legal opinions, talk to the community, and gain some insight into why the community decision making process resulted in the Kennedy Bill. None of that will be possible if they act less than two weeks after the Mayor’s plan was proposed.

In 2004 we beat back the phony Review Board which the Police Board passed. We did it by the broad community rejection which resulted. We can do it again, if you will be there April 12!