Civilian Oversight Articles
Group's HPD oversight in doubt / Committee needs subpoena power if it is to be effective, activists say — By: Dale Lezon
More than a decade after the city established a Citizens Review Committee to oversee internal investigations of complaints against police officers, some community activists and political leaders claim the 21-member advisory board is a rubber stamp for the Houston Police Department. Without the power to subpoena witnesses, these critics say, the committee members - appointed by the mayor from a list reviewed by the police chief - must rely solely on reports supplied by HPD investigators. Officers are not legally compelled to appear before the committee or turn over documents.
Panel recommends suing abusive police / Report urges outlawing racial profiling
WASHINGTON - Congress should make it easier for people to sue abusive police officers, and police departments should fire immediately any officer caught using racial profiling, the U.S. Civil Rights Commission said Friday. In a report adopted by a 5-1 vote, the commission said police "have made great inroads in reducing crime and use of deadly force," but attempts to reduce police brutality and misconduct through agencies like civilian review boards have largely failed.
Weak powers, slight resources impede police watchdog panels — By: Michelle Boorstein
American cities large and small are launching a second generation of civilian police oversight boards despite critics' complaints that the first group of watchdog panels has been largely powerless to investigate or discipline police. Boston's board reviews fewer than 10 complaints a year.
Boards controversial but useful, experts say — By: James Robinson
Many different types of civilian review boards scrutinize police departments around the country, and they never seem to please everybody. They usually are created after a series of incidents in which police officers have killed citizens.
Review bill under fire for appeals — By: John Wiliams, Robert Cullick, James T. Campbell
State Rep. Ron Wilson was at odds Monday with Mayor Kathy Whitmire and City Councilman Anthony Hall over a bill that would allow creation of a citizens review board to investigate allegations of police misconduct. Wilson filed the bill Monday in response to two recent killings by Houston police officers.
Whitmire urges police review unit — By: Alan Bernstein, James T. Campbell
In an apparent reversal and in conflict with Police Chief Lee P. Brown, Mayor Kathy Whitmire said Thursday she favors the concept of a civilian board to review police department actions. "We have started to lose that level of professionalism and confidence, and that has brought me to the point of believing it's now time to bring some civilian oversight into the department," Whitmire said.
