Proposed legislation in the works for a limited Citizen Review Board

A new proposal is being developed in Jacksonville to allow average citizens to police the police.

That proposal would create a Citizen Review Board, which would assess Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigations into officers' conduct.

It’s something many other Florida cities already do.

But there would be big limitations on this board's power.

In a public meeting, Stephen Powell from the city’s Office of General Counsel presented his findings on Florida’s legal limits on Citizen Review Boards to three city council members: Katrina Brown, Reggie Gaffney and Reggie Brown.

Powell found that state law prohibits Citizen Review Boards from performing the initial investigation into police conduct.

Reggie Brown asked general counsel to draft a legislation proposal to create a Citizen Review Board.

It would be independent from JSO, but would only be able to review the findings of the JSO Internal Affairs Unit’s investigation of police conduct after the fact.

Activist organization The Kemetic Empire chairman Diallo-Sekou said it’s a start, but he may push to change state law.

“I’m not satisfied until all the power belongs to the people. This isn’t necessarily a review board that has teeth,” said Sekou.

Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police President Steve Zona said the union opposes Citizen Review Boards investigating officers’ conduct.

“They can be agenda-driven, emotionally-driven, politically driven. We’re open to any investigation from another law enforcement agency,” said Zona.

Northside Coalition Director Ben Frazier said at the meeting he is frustrated that there are still no answers on JSO’s internal investigation after an officer shot Vernell Bing in the head following a chase in Springfield in May.

“The people want to know just what the heck is going on and no one is talking,” said Frazier. “A Citizens Review Board could make a statement to say we need to move faster.”

Cox Media Group