Modesto Community Police Review Board draws 73 applicants for 9 seats. Here’s what’s next
Seventy-three people have applied to serve on the nine-member Modesto Community Police Review Board, which could hold its first meeting in May.
The board is part of the City Council’s police reform effort called Forward Together. It includes hiring an independent police auditor, which would complement the work of the review board.
Modesto now is soliciting firms to serve as an auditor, with a Feb. 28 deadline for firms to apply. Jan. 31 was the deadline to apply for the review board.
Council members at their Dec. 13 meeting unanimously approved forming the review board and authorizing staff to solicit firms to serve as an independent auditor.
Deputy City Manager Allison Van Guilder told council members then that city staff had an ambitious timeline of the council appointing oversight board members in March and approving a contract for an independent auditor in April.
The oversight board would hold its first meeting in May after undergoing training.
“We are very excited about getting the Community Police Review Board up and running and have seen a lot of interest,” City Manager Joe Lopez said in an email Monday. “This is a vital piece of the Forward Together initiative and one highlighted by the Forward Together Work Group.
“We are pleased to say that we received a total of 73 applicants. It is our hope that the committee will be a diverse group of residents who are ready to make a real, positive and lasting impact in their community.”
The Community Police Review Board’s members will serve without pay during their four-year terms. Members need to have lived in Modesto for at least a year, be registered to vote, pass a background check and not work for the city or in law enforcement. Former and retired Modesto Police Department employees also cannot serve on the committee.
The review board will hold monthly public meetings “to promote community engagement and to afford the public regular opportunity to provide feedback and receive updates,” according to its bylaws.
The board also will submit annual reports to the city manager and City Council about its activities and any recommendations from its review of information related to officer-involved shootings, use-of-force complaints and other matters. The city manager will address the recommendations with the police chief or council.
The board also is an opportunity to improve understanding and relations between residents and the Police Department.
This story was originally published February 6, 2023 at 12:32 PM.
