Fact Sheet on Task Force on Citizen Review Board Issues

During the months of October - December 1998, the Justice Committee for Daryl Howerton Issues/North Carolina Racial Justice Network presented a series of grievances to the Greensboro City Council. Grievances alleged that racism in Greensboro was widespread and existed in the Police Department, Four Seasons Mall and other institutions. The group requested that City Council take action to address racism to include creating a police citizen review board to monitor police activities.

In March 1999, City Council created the Task Force on Citizen Review Board Issues. Council directed that the Task Force examine the positives and negatives of citizen review boards and prepare a report containing recommendations for City Council. Any recommendation in favor of creating a review board should include proposals as to structure, operating procedures, funding, staffing and extent of power and authority.

The Task Force consists of a diverse group of 13 citizens. Since March 1999, the group has met monthly to examine information, listen to guest presenters and discuss issues among each other. Guest presenters to date have been Chief Robert White; Mr. Richard Koritz, Chair of the Human Relations Commission's Complaint Review Committee (HRCCRC); Mr. Clarence Jollv, former Chair of the HRCCRC; Mr. Ed Kitchen; Ms. Mona Edwards; Ms. Miki Felsenburg, Chair of the Winston Salem Citizen Review Board; and Mr. George Daly, Chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Citizen Review Board. Material reviewed included the operations of citizen review boards in 18 cities across the United States as well as articles on citizen review boards by the American Civil Liberties Union, the International City Managers Association and other miscellaneous editorials.

The Task Force is now preparing to receive public input by conducting a public hearing(s). A public hearing is scheduled for July 22, 1999, 6-9 pm, City Council Chamber, Melvin Municipal Off-ice Building, 300 West Washington Street. The purpose of the hearing is to provide an opportunity for citizens to speak on the police citizen review board issue. Citizens are expected to share experiences, positive or negative, they have had with the police department that will assist Task Force members in determining the need for a citizen review board in Greensboro. People who are unable to attend may send their written comments to: Human Relations Department, PO Box 3136, Greensboro, NC 27402-3136

The Task Force has set September 1999 as the date to have completed its review and report to City Council.