Title
Modifying the process by which the meeting stipend rate for commissioners of the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Investigation Commission is adopted.
Body
Section 1.
WHEREAS, the 2027 Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) General Fund budget proposed by Mayor Kaohly Her includes a proposed increase in the stipend for members of the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (“PCIARC”) (“Commission”), and
WHEREAS, the current stipend for commissioners of the PCIARC is $50 per meeting attended which has been unchanged since the Commission’s establishment, and
WHEREAS, commission members are required to complete 40 to 50 hours of training on topics to serve on the Commission, including topics related to police work, investigation, relevant law, cultural competency, racial equity, implicit bias, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, mental health challenges
WHEREAS, the number of external PCIARC complaints received has been steadily increasing, with case review by commissioners has now grown to about 40 hours per month, particularly with the prevalence of body-worn cameras and surveillance footage relevant to an investigation, and
WHEREAS, commission members do not receive compensation for the time spent on training, case review, or any other activity supporting their work as a Commission member, and
WHEREAS, the work burden required of PCIARC membership, paired with the low stipend amount reduces or removes access for many community members who would otherwise like to join the Commission.
WHEREAS, because members of the Commission provide an essential function of reviewing materials and reports on all civilian-initiated police conduct complaints prior to making a recommendation to the Chief of Police, and
WHEREAS, the PCIARC is an essential element to enhance and preserve the trust between police and the communities they serve in this City,
Now, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of S...
Click here for full text