Dozens of concerned Syracuse residents packed into common council chambers Wednesday to hear more about an amendment that aims to clarify the just how the findings of the Citizen Review Board are used in litigation involving police misconduct.
Corporation counsel Kristen Smith told the council’s public safety committee that the measure aims to clarify that the CRB’s conclusions are generally not admissible in court where they could be used to unfairly favor plaintiff. At the same time, she says the CRB would still be able to investigate allegations and make recommendations about policy decisions.
"This is really more of a matter of what happens down the road when an individual in the community decides to exercise their rights within the judicial system to bring a civil action against the city. It just makes clear that the actual findings of the citizen board wouldn't be given judicial effect because that really wasn't the intent [of forming the board]."
CRB administrator Ranette Releford expressed concern over what the amendment would mean for the CRB as a platform for residents to seek possible action on complaints about police misconduct.
"I would urge us to continue to focus on the fact that the citizen review board is for the citizens, and that as public officials, we need to give the citizens as much voice as possible. This gut-punch that you decided to do, at this point in time, does not do that, and it doesn't weigh in all the options to add more directives for all parties."
But the civil meeting quickly devolved into shouting and chaos when residents confused about council procedure insisted on speaking, even though it was not a public hearing.
"You can't do that," Councilor Khalid Bey said repeatedly to a woman who insisted on speaking.
Bey and other concilors tried to keep some order before he and most of his colleagues left chambers in protest. But residents continued to speak. After some calm returned, Councilor Steve Thompson, who introduced the controversial item, stayed behind and said this.
"There is no question in my mind, having listened to what you're telling me, having listened to the corporation counsel, having listened to the CRB, that the best thing for us as a council, and what I will recommend to the council, is that I withdraw this," Thompson said to applause and cheers.
He said the amendment will be incorporated into a larger, future discussion about the CRB’s role and influence.
