South Bend needs a citizen review board
From the Oct. 3, issue of the South Bend TribuneWe welcome the changes that are being made in how allegations of excessive force by South Bend police are being investigated. However, more must be done.
A location off-site from the central South Bend Police Department station to receive claims against police can make accusers feel less intimidated. Better tracking of allegations of excessive force and review of arrest reports by a risk manager for the police department are improvements.
But when a single officer is connected to multiple investigations involving excessive force and continues serving for years, concerns and questions are raised. We can understand how the public feels alienated from a system that in some ways can be seen as operating covertly within the confines of the close-knit police community. The public never knows what becomes of these investigations.
That is why the idea of a citizen review board makes sense to us. It has been successful in other communities.
In Indianapolis, there is a 12-member citizen review board, which includes three non-voting police officers.
In South Bend, police matters are managed by the Board of Public Safety. Mayor Stephen J. Luecke wants to expands the board's size to five from three. Board members now serve indefinitely at the pleasure of the mayor. The mayor also has said he is considering placing a limit on the number of terms a board member may serve.
We support these changes, but they are not enough.
Luecke is in a unique position to take a strong leadership role on this issue. He could do that by starting in motion the process to establish a citizen review board.
In doing so, Luecke would clearly demonstrate to the community that the administration is listening to its concerns.
The notion of a citizen review board should not be misconstrued in any way as being anti-police. Nothing could not be further from the truth. We believe such a board would improve relations between the public and city police officers by enhancing communication and trust in our community.
St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN