Citizen Review boards: What are they, and where are they?

People are out protesting for an end to racial discrimination, but also for police accountability.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates officer-involved shootings, but critics don’t want police policing themselves.

Caila Coleman is the vice chair for Orlando’s Citizens’ Police Review Board, which, according to its website, is an independent committee that reviews internal investigations and can advise the chief about department policies pertaining to the use of force and police conduct toward citizens.

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“I sometimes feel like when officers put on a uniform, it’s almost as if they forget they’re human beings,” said Coleman, who has been on the board for three years.

The push for police oversight came largely out of the Civil Rights movement. But decades later, Citizen Review boards are again in the spotlight as more people push for accountability.

But many of these boards nationwide have no real power to do anything, Coleman said.

“So we’ll say, ‘Hey this was wrong, this was not good conduct,' but it’s up to the police chief to take the next step," she said.

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In Central Florida, only Orange and Seminole counties have something resembling the boards.

In Orange County, the sheriff appoints the members of the Citizen Advisory Committee. He or she decides which cases the committee reviews. Members are not responsible for investigating the case or determining fault, but rather assess if policies or procedures need to change. Those recommendations can then be given to the sheriff.

In Seminole County, there’s a Citizen Advisory Committee, as well as a Civilian Review Board.

The board can review any sustained use-of-force investigation, and all officer-involved shootings. The Sheriff’s Office will make every effort to adequately address issues raised by the board.

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