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New Civilian Review Board ‘enhances transparency’ of police work

Feb 23, 2022 06:58PM ● By Bill Hardesty

The SSLPD will now have a Civilian Review Board to help bridge the gap between police and the community. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

By Bill Hardesty | [email protected]

After almost two years of work, South Salt Lake stood up their Civilian Review Board (CRB) on Feb. 9. The CRB will start meeting in March.

"Our city has always been committed to transparency, and as Mayor, I am dedicated to maintaining community trust," said Mayor Cherie Wood. "The CRB enhances transparency with the appointment of qualified residents determined by a five-member selection committee who are local experts in the areas of racial justice, civics and community involvement."

"I'm proud that we have led the way in police reform,” said City Councilmember Natalie Pinkney. “This is the first step of many, and I'm excited to see how we will continue to improve safety for all."

"Building and sustaining ongoing dialogue and transparency with our community is crucial to the success of our Public Safety department," said SSL Police Chief Jack Carruth. "We have a dedicated group of officers, and I believe this board will only enhance the quality services we provide." 

"City leaders are committed to public safety that puts people first," said City Council Chair Sharla Bynum. "The message is clear; we are a community that promotes justice while ensuring law enforcement excellence."

The CRB

The selection committee for the newly appointed board members were non-SSL residents. Frank Lilly, a former SSL housing administrator, was the committee's chairperson. Other committee members were Jeanetta Williams, with the Salt Lake branch of the NAACP; Rev. Monica Dobbins, assistant minister of the First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City; Kaletta Lynch, chief equity officer for Salt Lake City; and Abby Dizon-Maughan, associate with Parsons Behle & Latimer law firm who also serves as chair of West Valley City’s version of the CRB.

The committee spent several weeks reviewing 27 applications. In addition, they held both virtual and in-person interviews. The CRB consists of seven members, two alternates, and one non-voting advisor.

"We were looking for candidates who had an open mind and a sense of grace and patience and a willingness to be open to kind of the fullness of this process right and to not come into it with preconceived notions about how the relationship between law enforcement and the community might work," Lilly said. "We were also looking for people with strong roots in the community. And really a commitment to transparency to competent oversight. And to make sure that that the community is served well in this position."

Members

The City Council gave unanimous Advice and Consent for all appointed CRB members brought forward. The members' submitted resumes are available online at www.utah.gov/pmn/sitemap/notice/733887.html.

Pinkney asked each member to answer the same question during the meeting. The question was: "What is your vision for the CRB and what is one idea you have that can improve relations between the police and the community?" Their answers are listed after their names.

  • Zac Barnes: "My overall goal is just continuing that kind of transparency we've seen through the process and the willingness of the police department to set up this kind of board. I want to continue that process. So, we always have a positive relationship with our community in the police force in South Salt Lake."
  • Conrad Campos: "My first thought was to improve relationships with law enforcement, not that they're bad, but to improve them and to strengthen and with the community because as I see it, these officers are willing to put their life on the line. We need to help them to do a better job. And that means we talk to them. We work with them. And if there's something we can add to their training and the knowledge and experience, I'm all for it. I've had good interactions with the law enforcement community."
  • Joy Glad: "I would like to agree that transparency is very important. But I also think education is an issue that needs to be addressed with our police officers and with us civilians. You know, we have these interactions with officers, but they're in a car. And so, we don't know them as human beings. So, for me, what I would like to see is that we can have more police speaking to the people in their community, not just driving by them."
  • Jason Keffer: "To answer the question, the board's stated goals are transparency and accountability. And I'd like to bring attention to detail and willingness to build data and kind of look at each instance and look at also trends and transparency and showing how the Council works and what we, what our conclusions are and how we got to our conclusions and share the data that we collect with community. West Valley posts their board’s actions to the public, and I would hope that we would do the same."
  • Kevin Miller: "I'm thankful for the opportunity and look forward to providing a voice for citizens to look at what the police are doing and trying to do and how they're trying to do it. Looking at those trends and making sure that all of us together are working in the best interests of the citizens of our community."
  • Christina Nee: "I'm excited to be a pioneer for the city and to be a representative of my community and to help be that liaison between police and the average person and try to communicate and mitigate some of those conversations."
  • Cassius Willis: "I look forward to seeing what the chief has already been doing. We look forward to also looking at what other cities have been doing. Whatever trends, look forward to being a fluid board that is available for the public."
  • As alternate Civilian Review Board Members:
  • Lorrina Heisey: “Transparency with the police department, but also my hope with this is that we can attract and retain a workforce for the police department. And to show that there's a higher degree of autonomy and accountability that will better reflect our community."
  • Richard Lane: "I think this is a way to understand the work of the police department better. And then, if necessary, review any issues brought before the board. That will, in my mind add more confidence from the community and the police department and their services to us."

The Advisory Non-Voting Civilian Review Board Member appointed to serve is Gary Cox. "I know that they will police the way the public expects them to do that. But for them to understand how to do that, there's got to be a great deal of communication."

Background

During the protests and calls for police transparency because of the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, Natalie Pinkney, councilmember at-large, proposed creating an independent Civilian Review Board. But, unfortunately, the council and city staff found it easier said than done.

Many issues were discussed, such as the board's size, power and scope along with the definition of the use of force and how to pay for the board.

The council and city staff worked through the issues and, on June 24, 2021, unanimously adopted the ordinance setting up the framework for the CRB.