2.368 Police Commission

2.368 Police Commission.

(1) Created. The police commission is hereby created to act as an advisory body to the city council, city manager, and police chief regarding police policy issues.

(2) Membership. The commission shall have 12 members, consisting of two city councilors, one member who is also a member of the human rights commission, one member who is also a member of the civilian review board, and eight citizen members selected from the public so as to represent a diverse range of interests and experiences with due regard to the geographic distribution of the membership. The citizen members of the commission shall be selected from, but are not limited to, several but not necessarily all of the following groups: youths, students of the University of Oregon and Lane Community College, persons with a demonstrated interest in law enforcement, social services providers, educators, members of community or neighborhood groups, persons engaged in private business, persons with a diversity of ethnic and cultural affiliations, and persons with diverse economic backgrounds and interests.

(3) Appointment and Terms of Office. Members shall be nominated by the mayor and appointed by the council. The eight citizen members shall serve for four-year terms. The councilor members shall be appointed annually as part of the process for appointing elected officials to other committees, and shall serve during their terms as councilors. The members from the human rights commission and civilian review board shall serve during their term on such commission, committee or board, or for four years, whichever is less. In any event, all members shall be limited to two consecutive terms. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments, and the appointee shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term. A member who is absent for more than three consecutively scheduled meetings without having been excused by the chair of the commission may be removed by the council and the vacancy filled.

(a) In general, the police commission exists to work toward the following outcomes for the community:

1. To increase communications between police and the community, leading to a greater understanding of the preferred policing alternatives for this city;

2. To identify police policy and resource issues related to preferred policing alternatives;

3. To decrease misunderstandings regarding the nature of adopted police policies, practices and approaches;

4. To provide input on police policies and procedures that reflect community values; and

5. To assist the city council in balancing community priorities and resources by advising it on police resource issues.

(b) The police commission shall develop a mission statement and a yearly workplan, to be reviewed and approved by the city council, which will articulate how the listed outcomes will be achieved.

1. Review and make recommendations on police policies, practices and priorities for consistency with community values;

2. Provide input on service and resource needs for community safety;

3. Work on police-related projects as directed by the council; and

4. Provide a forum for addressing public concerns related to police policies and practices.

(d) The police commission shall not undertake the review of allegations and inquiries related to the actions of individual police officers.

(e) The police commission shall receive periodic reports from the police auditor regarding complaint trends that the auditor believes indicate a review of police practices or training methods may be warranted.

(f) The member appointed from the civilian review board shall assist in redirecting any complaints received about employee conduct to the auditor’s office and in reporting on issues raised during the course of the civilian review board’s work pertinent to police policy and practices.

(g) The member appointed from the human rights commission shall serve as a liaison to that commission in monitoring police policy issues that are or may generate community concern.