[CPRB] Re: [CUCPJ Announce] City of Urbana & Urbana Police Dept. reach 4-year agreement

[Brian Dolinar]

Hello all.

I've been reading into the case against Sgt. Jon Burge
and during a civil suit the police union tried to keep the
names of Burge's underlings under investigation secret.
A court stated the public had a right to know:

"No legitimate purpose is served by conducting [police internal]
investigations under a veil of near total secrecy. Rather, knowledge that
a number of persons, as well as a state or federal court, may examine the file
in the event of civil litigation may serve to insure that these investigations
are carried out in an even handed fashion, that the statements are carefully
and accurately taken, and that the true facts came to light, whether they
reflect favorably or unfavorably on the individualy police officers involved
or on the department as a whole."

Note that this is in regards to civil suits, but may perhaps be applicable
to internal police investigations or in the case of a CPRB investigation.
I found this on the web page of the People's Law Office in Chicago.

For example, I would not have been able to publicize the charges
against Sgt. Myers
if I had no access to the Sheriff's investigation of him.

Best, BD

On 12/21/06, John W. <jbw292002 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> The story is in today's News-Gazette.  Here's what the article has to say
> about the Citizen Police Review Board:
>
>
>
> The contract includes a provision that the city "may adopt and maintain a
> civilian police review board."
>
> But the city also agreed in the contract that police officers are not
> required to appear before such a board and that any appearance is optional.
>
> Other stipulations:
>
> * Any complaint brought against a police officer shall be investigated by
> the department in accordance with department policy.
>
> * The results of the police investigation could be shared with the civilian
> police review board, but that board members "shall maintain confidentiality
> of any and all officer records, files and medical information."
>
> The city council is considering creation of a civilian police review board.
> The issue was put on hold, however, during contract negotiations.
>
> _______________________________________________
> announce mailing list
> announce at lists.communitycourtwatch.org
> http://lists.communitycourtwatch.org/listinfo.cgi/announce-communitycourtwatch.org
>


-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com