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Public Gives Input On Proposed Citizens Police Review Board In South Bend

Justin Hicks / WVPE Public Radio

South Bend residents gave input on a rough draft of a police citizens review board bill during a public meeting Tuesday night. This is the first step of many before the board can be approved.

The purpose of the citizens complaint board would be to hold police officers accountable.

As the bill currently stands, members on the board would have the power to call for further investigations of alleged police misconduct and recommend discipline.

The board would be made up of nine voting members appointed by a council member and two police officers who would not be able to vote.

Many people had issues with the idea of police officers being on the board at all.

Council Member At-Large and bill co-sponsor, Lori Hamann, says the document is still fluid and people’s concerns will be taken into consideration when making amendments.

“This is about what the citizens need," she says. "This is about bringing trust back to South Bend. If we create a board that the majority of the people of South Bend don’t trust, then what are we doing?”

There will be another chance for public input on Thursday. The council is hoping to vote on creating a citizens police complaint board by the end of summer.

Contact Annacaroline at acaruso@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @AnnacarolineC16

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