Concerned citizens in communities across the country have formed, in cooperation with their local government citizen review boards (CRBs). CRBs are empowered to assure the public that complaints to the police department regarding possible police misconduct are fairly and thoroughly investigated.
The recent civil uprising in Coquille regards complaints of selective enforcement, class and racial profiling, malfeasance and misfeasance, not merely grievances surrounding traffic violations. Some complaints of misfeasance (doing a lawful job but doing it poorly) and malfeasance (an act that is legally unjustified) involve juveniles. Errors in judgment by law enforcement can be a terrible experience for any citizen to deal with and especially so for children.
Victims of crimes that have seen their cases mishandled can feel doubly violated. Submitting complaints that are ignored or not impartially evaluated add insult to injury and is a betrayal of the public trust.
CRBs, depending upon their organizational structure and duties, may act as an advocate or liaison between crime victims and the police department. Some CRBs are empowered to issues subpoenas, question witnesses and recommend appropriate discipline or additional training.
CRBs often act as watchdog agencies to ensure that city management does not allow personal relationships to interfere with fair and impartial investigations. Additionally, they may recommend policies to ensure fair and humane policing that protect both the citizen and the police officer.
Improved relations between citizens and the local police department benefit everyone. Citizen review boards are one way communities in every state in the nation have worked out to deal with the very issues confronting Coquille today. They all owe their genesis to the efforts of concerned citizens working together.
Is it really necessary to drag the Mayor into this mess? The Mayor is a good man. A fair and honest man….why drag his name through the mud?
Thank tpaulson, for your statements above. Regarding getting anyone fired, it is not the goal of concerned citizens to see anyone fired. It may, however, be a consequence of the investigations that will hopefully take place.
Also, I am sorry that you were labeled as you were, I agree that is unkind and inappropriate. Please know that I am not a cop hater as I have two family members that are in law enforcement – one in Portland and another is a detective in Reno.
My personal opinion and I speak only for myself here, is that some people in the Coquille PD should move on. More than one policeman has told me that it takes a certain type of person to be a small town cop. It may be that some of these individuals would be happier and better suited in a larger community.
If, however, the problems can be solved without such changes, I will accept that. Hopefully, the complaints that I filed two and a half years ago will be addressed as well.
I’m sorry..I shouldn’t have said that. I just feel like there have been so many nasty things said that don’t have anything to do with the police department’s treatment of the public and it feels like your agenda has changed to getting someone fired. I appologise for my statement. I realize that everyone has some kind of “dark cloud” over something in thier past they are not proud of you…you are certainly right about that.
In any case…my hope is that you would allow for change and be proud of yourselves if you see it through without anyone losing their jobs. To me, that is the best solution.
I was called “a Cop Lover” in McKays by a person in your group….(I will not name names here). It really upset me that someone would do that to me in public. It was horrible and embarrassing. That kind of thing should not happen to anyone, regardless of their opinion on this subject.
tpaulson
When it comes to mud slinging, you are calling the kettle black it seems to me.
You are just trying to stir up trouble & You are coming across as the the rabblerouser here.
To tpaulson
The topic of this post is citizen review boards. Please stay on topic.
Statistically, if the Coquille Police Department were entirely without blame and completely innocent of the civil rights complaints filed against them, CPD would be an anomaly across the nation.
Retain your blind faith but do not use this blog as a venue to criticize others for asking questions and raising honest concerns.
Lastly, regarding your comments about our mayor, you no doubt are aware that Chief Reaves left his last place of employment under a dark cloud… ask anyone on the city council.
It’s getting to the point where you people are just slinging mud and making personal attacks instead of working with the Police Department to work out a solution.
I have friends who are being insulted and attacked by members of your group for supporting the PD. This is wrong…just plain wrong.
Why do you think your opinion is the only valid opinion?
It seems like you don’t want things to change…you just want people fired.
Working together to solve issues is great if you actually want to work together to solve issues. It doesn’t come across that way.
If you listen to the comments around town…the majority of the people here think you are all a bunch of nut cases. I’m not saying that to start a fight…I’m telling you what is being said by folks just like you or me.
Everyone I have spoken with thinks you have taken all of this too far.
I think you crossed the line when you started calling for people to be fired for doing thier jobs.
This is going to get uglier before you see any change.
The Mayor himself was a Police Officer in the city of Cannon Beach. He was fired for stealing. He cannot be certified in this entire state, which is why he was let go by Myrtle Point. This is all on record. Ask anyone at The Sheriffs Department. I’d like to know why we weren’t informed of any of this when he ran for Mayor.
If you want to expose wrong doing, why not actually go after someone who has done wrong?
You make some important points, magix. Improved relations between citizens and the local police department benefit everyone.
When a community becomes divided & there is friction between public citizens & police, the problems need to be addressed for everyones benefit.
& it is the citizens that must initiate this. They must be willing to stand up & make their voice known. Because if we keep silent nothing will change.