The Syracuse agency reviewing complaints of police conduct resumes its investigations on Monday. But no public vote was taken at a special meeting of the Citizen Review Board Wednesday evening, so it’s not clear which members support or oppose the move.
The CRB is defying the opinion of city lawyers who urged the board to pause investigations pending the outcome of a case in Rochester limiting the powers of that city’s agency. In a brief public statement, board chair Don Johnson said only the Syracuse Common Council can amend or suspend the board’s duties.
“The opinion issued by corporate counsel in April is a legal advice to the city. It is not a repeal of the ordinance and it does not relieve the board of our obligations," he said during the meeting.
Legal experts, advocates, and common councilors said at recent council committee meeting that Syracuse’s board is different and should restart investigations. But just how the CRB went about it is raising other legal questions.
Barrie Gewanter helped craft the CRB’s enabling legislation.
“Today gave the appearance of violations of the open public meetings law,” she said. "We need a CRB, but we also need one that follows the same laws that apply to our city councilors and our county legislators. I guess I'm not confident there's an understanding of where the lines are.”
Chairman Johnson explained to reporters after the meeting that he spoke to members privately before calling the special meeting.
“We've been bantering back and forth about yes, no, yes, no. And then finally, when I had enough people who said verbally, I want to continue with the investigation," he said.
No vote was taken at the meeting. Johnson said the barometer of support will be determined by those who remain on the board or choose to resign by Monday.
Common council public safety committee chair Donna Moore said she is pleased the CRB is resuming investigations, but noted the open public meeting law is clear.
“You should not be making decisions behind closed doors. They have to be done in front of the public," she said.
If members don’t understand that, she says they need training to operate a board that doesn’t run afoul of its own ordinance and state law.
