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Complaint Review Committee
In August 2009, City Council approved a new model for how the Complaint Review Committee functions. The information below is from that model.

Committee Composition
The committee remains a public board and standing committee under the Greensboro Human Relations Commission (HRC).

  • The committee size is seven members, including five Human Relations commissioners representing each of the five Council districts and two city residents selected by HRC with preference given to one of the member slots for residents who are a retired / former law enforcement officer in good standing.
  • Term as chair is one year and reappointment is by the HRC chair at her / his discretion. Term of service for Complaint Review Committee members is three years. Term of service for non-Human Relations commissioners is two years with reappointment at the discretion of HRC (by vote) for a second two-year term. Both HRC and non-HRC members cannot serve more than two consecutive terms before coming off the Complaint Review Committee for one year.
  • All Complaint Review Committee membership is dependent upon successfully passing a criminal background check. 
  • Chairmanship of the Complaint Review Committee follows existing model and is held by a Human Relations commissioner selected by the HRC chair.
  • Complaint Review Committee includes a quasi-judicial component that allows both complainants and respondents to present their arguments in support of their positions before the committee in closed session.

Committee Orientation

  • An orientation and training for all members is conducted by staff members of the City Attorney's Office, the Human Relations Department, and the Police Department involving cultural competencies, police standard operating procedures, and legal and statutory considerations.
  • Curriculum is designed by the departments listed above, with assistance from the City's Human Resources' Learning and Development staff.
  • Training is specific to the knowledge base required for case review and analysis.

Committee Authority
The Complaint Review Committee has access to all relevant information including all sources that allow it to carry out all aspects and charges under its charter and City ordinance, including police review and discrimination in public accommodation cases.

This includes access to all records and documents, including but not limited to, all written sources of evidence specifically related to any incident being investigated. Only information unrelated to the case under review would be redacted from a report.