[CPRB] revised Urbana ordinance

[Ricky Baldwin]

Well, if you haven't read the revised "CRB" ordinance,
you should.

It's on the City's website under City Council,
agendas.

Personally, I think it's much improved over the draft
we discussed a couple weeks ago.  Time lines are
extended for complainants to appeal, vague language
about "law enforcement objectives" is replaced, and
there's new language about budgets and
anti-discrimination/harassment against complainants,
"Know Your Rights" posters, etc.

But back to our famous three main dimensions of an
effective cprb, (1) independence/neutrality, (2)
subpoena power for witnesses and docs, (3) ability to
hire an investigator:

The revised version includes subpoena power for
witnesses and documents -- apparently over the
objections of the new City Atty (am I right?).
Hallelujah!

But the board would still have no power to hire an
investigator, or seemingly even to root around looking
for witnesses even as individuals on a voluntary basis
 if I read Sec. 19-25(c) right.  Somebody please tell
me I'm reading this wrong.  The prohibition in the FOP
contract seems to be the source of this, but my
question is, is there no maneuvering room here at all?
 Is there nothing we can get that would allow the
board, in addition to interviewing witnesses that the
police or complainant tell them about, soem means to
look for additional witnesses for example if they deem
it necessary or important?

And, similarly, I'm sorry to say I've realized the
ordinance is even more restrictive that the side
letter agreement with the FOP with regard to who can
serve on the board.  The FOP agreement says nobody
"convicted of a felony" can serve -- itself a gross
and prejudiced violation of civil rights in my opinion
-- but Sec. 19-22 (c) of the ordinance bars anyone
with a "felony conviction OR PLEA" [emphasis mine]. 
If we can't strike the whole of (c) because of the FOP
agreement, we ought to at least get rid of the
addition, in my opinion.

I'm sure there's more to say.  Anybody?

See you Monday nite.
Ricky




       
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