Berkeley Coalition Calls on City Council to Support Stronger Police Oversight

Proposed measure puts the power to control police functioning more firmly in the hands of the people and their representatives. It would give the Police Commission the power to fully review critical incidents, modify policies to be more in line with the values and diversity of our community and even provide meaningful input into the hiring and evaluation of the Chief of Police.

Berkeley Coalition Calls on City Council to Support Stronger Police Oversight - Community Members Urge Council Approval of Initiative to Create an Effective Policy Commission.

The current Berkeley Police Review Commission (PRC) has been hamstrung in its efforts to provide oversight to the Berkeley Police Department and change is needed. California Supreme court decisions, the Officer’s Bill of Rights and the post-9/11 culture have all served to diminish the power of civilian oversight in recent decades. Starting in 2006, Berkeley had to completely revise its procedures to the point where allegations are now very rarely sustained and the number of complaints filed has dropped by 50%. In addition, the PRC has only advisory power regarding policies and its recommendations are often ignored or delayed by the Chief, the City Manager and even the Berkeley Police Association.

The proposed measure puts the power to control police functioning more firmly in the hands of the people and their representatives. It would give the Police Commission the power to fully review critical incidents, modify policies to be more in line with the values and diversity of our community and even provide meaningful input into the hiring and evaluation of the Chief of Police.

“We certainly hope that the City Council will vote to let the people of Berkeley decide this question and place it on the ballot, but no matter what, we are pressing ahead with our campaign to gather 12,000 signatures,” said Diana Bohn, a BCUPO spokesperson. “We are very excited by the support we have gotten in just a short time and we are preparing to fight for this measure all the way to November 6.”

Berkeley Community United for Police Oversight (BCUPO) will call on members of the Berkeley City Council to place a city charter amendment for a new Police Commission on the November 2018 ballot. Item 27 on the March 27th, 2018 Council agenda, initiated by Councilmember Kriss Worthington, would supersede the current Police Review Commission (PRC) if passed by the voters.

Who: Berkeley Community United for Police Oversight (BCUPO), a coalition of local community members and organizations

When: Tuesday, March 27th, 5:30PM (Rally / Press, Council meeting begins at 6:00 PM)

Where: Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA

Contact: George Lippman: (510) 517-8379