Thread by @rjmarr

As #RVA works through 2 separate task forces, let’s talk about #PoliceReform, specifically Civilian Review Boards (CRBs)
#RVAProtests #RVACouncil #Thread
1/

Original CRB: the 1948 Complaint Review Board in DC. Idea (going back to Progressive Era) is to provide oversight of police by folks from outside the corps of sworn officers. Data hard to find (and police don't like to give it)
2/

BUT necessary - police internal review doesn't work (#PCPTP , or police cannot police the police); and elected oversight fails because of fear (don't want to be called weak on law-and-order politics). Police are NOT your typical bureaucracy
3/

Again - #RVA has 2 parallel task forces. Mayor's “Task Force to Reimagine Public Safety" has lots of well-meaning folks involved, but a short timeline (45 days), plus police on the board (again - #PCPTP)
4/
rvahub.com/2020/07/10/may…

Activist group @defundrpd sort-of participating, but actually called for disbanding Mayor's group because they worry it will produce rubber-stamp nothingburger of a board

5/

City Council's @thedrmikejones and @Stephanie4RVA got #RVACouncil to create smaller task force, with report due next March (I think you can still apply!)
6/
eservicesb.richmondgov.com/applications/b…

So what do we want these task forces to actually set up?
Awesome 2016 report from non-profit @NACOLE_org (h/t @RossCatrow) lays out three options for CRBs:
d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nacole/pages/1…
7/

(1) Investigation: conduct independent investigations of civilian complaints. Provide accountability, but expensive, require highly trained investigators, and often require police cooperation (who prefer internal affairs, but #PCPTP) Example: San Fran
sfgov.org/dpa/
8/

(2) Review: audit existing internal affairs process. Often volunteers - so cheap! But also can have limited authority, or rubber-stamp official actions, or eventually become “captured” by police. Urbana, Illiinois is one example
9/
urbanaillinois.us/boards/civilia…

(3) Monitoring: ongoing, broad review of police policies/data. Sometimes get reform, but hard to pry data from police; subject to same lack of authority & resources; avoid controversy over individual cases (pros/cons) Denver has full govt agency: denvergov.org/content/denver…
10/

What should #RVA do? Maybe blend of investigation and monitoring? More independent the better. Won't be easy to negotiate among resistant police, critical public, and officials who want to split the difference. NACOLE suggests localities choose "best fit" over best practice
11/

Results will be crucial. #BlackLivesMatter has forced local government to re-examine their approach to policing. The time for reform is now. If you have thoughts, let your council member know – they will be the crucial votes to determine the future of #RVA policing
12/

More here:
rvapol.com/blog/2020/8/7/…
13/End