[Peace] CPRB Letter to Editor

[jencart at mailstation.com]

I agree, it is a good letter. I think some Champaign residents need to go thru channels and make a formal proposal that a CPRB be established. I can't imagine this particular Champaign City Council would take the initiative.

Jenifer

-----Original Message-----
>From: Brian Dolinar <briandolinar at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jun 17, 2007 1:53 PM
>To: coalition policereview <cprb at lists.chambana.net>, Peace List <peace at lists.chambana.net>, discuss at communitycourtwatch.org
>Subject: [Peace] CPRB Letter to Editor
>
>Check out Ricky Baldwin's excellent letter to the editor
>promoting a CPRB in Champaign.
>
>BD
>
>Police review board would ease ill will Sunday June 17, 2007
>
>We should all welcome The News-Gazette editorial on the recent shooting in
>West Side Park, and the questions it raises. Of course, we are all glad that
>the police officers and Mr. Clemons survived, hope that everyone will
>recover and are pleased that the events did not turn out worse.
>
>But there is, as the editorial says, a disturbing trend among police
>agencies to "manage the flow of information," which means they keep most of
>it to themselves. This trend contributes to speculation and distrust in the
>community. The fact that there is no process but the internal police
>procedure for investigating such use-of-force incidents, or other complaints
>that citizens may have, only exacerbates this ill will.
>
>By contrast, an open process with independent oversight by ordinary citizens
>would increase trust in the community significantly. Such an oversight board
>could look into complaints and review police policies and procedures, and
>report to the city council and/or mayor.
>
>Dozens of American cities of all sizes, as well as communities in Canada,
>Britain and Australia, currently have some form of independent oversight of
>law enforcement. Urbana will likely establish a board this summer. A wealth
>of research and information is available on the subject, what works and what
>doesn't work.
>
>I recommend www.nacole.org for starters.
>
>I also urge the Champaign City Council to begin the process of establishing
>citizen police review.
>
>RICKY BALDWIN
>
>Urbana
>-- 
>Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
>303 W. Locust St.
>Urbana, IL 61801
>briandolinar at gmail.com