Baltimore City Council
File #: 15-0253R    Version: 0 Name: Request for State Action - Strengthening the Civilian Review Board
Type: City Council Resolution Status: Adopted
File created: 8/17/2015 In control: City Council
On agenda: Final action: 1/11/2016
Enactment #:
Title: Request for State Action - Strengthening the Civilian Review Board FOR the purpose of calling on the Baltimore City Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to introduce, and secure enactment of, legislation authorizing the Mayor and City Council to strengthen the Baltimore City Police Department's Civilian Review Board.
Sponsors: Bill Henry, President Young, Sharon Green Middleton, Eric T. Costello, Helen L. Holton, Warren Branch, James B. Kraft, Carl Stokes, Mary Pat Clarke, William "Pete" Welch, Nick Mosby, Robert Curran, Edward Reisinger
Indexes: Civilian Review Board, Request for State Action
Attachments: 1. 15-0253R~1st Reader, 2. City Solicitor 15-0253R, 3. Police 15-0253R, 4. 15-0253R~2nd Reader
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*

CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)

Introduced by: Councilmember Henry


A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Request for State Action - Strengthening the Civilian Review Board
FOR the purpose of calling on the Baltimore City Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to introduce, and secure enactment of, legislation authorizing the Mayor and City Council to strengthen the Baltimore City Police Department's Civilian Review Board.
body

Recitals

In their publication ?Building Momentum From The Ground Up: A Toolkit For Promoting Justice In Policing? published in May of this year, the Center for Popular Democracy states that ?more than 100 jurisdictions across the country have some type of civilian oversight board, but few communities feel they have true control over their police departments. In recognition of the reality that community oversight is fundamental to the legitimacy of local law enforcement; many communities have renewed their call for meaningful community oversight?.

Recent events have highlighted the importance of restoring the trust of all communities in Baltimore?s Police Department. The reviews of the Department by the U.S. Department of Justice are expected to bring forward many tangible steps that can be taken to improve relations between the public and the police that should be acted upon. However, it is important to take whatever confidence building steps can be independently identified in the meantime as well.

On...

Click here for full text