Public Forum - Why does Fresno need an Independent Police Auditor?
"Nationally, establishment of an independent auditor is recommended as a best practices procedure for all law enforcement."
"An independent police auditor can accomplish a balance of three key objectives, citizen satisfaction, prudent financial management, and police support." - 2007 Fresno Grand Jury Report
Speakers will discuss why an Independent Police Auditor is needed in the City of Fresno:
Barbara Attard, Independent Police Auditor (IPA) for the City of San Jose
Ms. Attard will talk about what an IPA does, what an IPA can do for Fresno, and how she has provided oversight to the San Jose Police Departments citizen complaint process.
Mark Schlosberg, Police Practices Policy Director of the ACLU of Northern California
Mr. Schlosberg will talk about the legal responsibilities of the Police Department in the handling of constituent complaints.
There will also be testimony from citizens who have been mistreated by the Fresno City Police Department.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church (The Big Red Church)
2131 North Van Ness Boulevard, Fresno
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Translation available in Spanish and Hmong.
Sponsored by the First Congregational Church and Central California Criminal Justice Committee
For further information please call (559) 229-9807.
Our purpose is to establish a police review mechanism that will empower the community and enhance mutual respect between the police and the people. We know that the formation of such an entity will improve our quality of life and reduce crime.
The Central California Criminal Justice Committee had its beginnings in a series of informal meetings that began in March of 2000 in response to fears expressed by women in the AfricanAmerican community that the Fresno Police Department was unjustifiably targeting their children while driving.
With an increase in complaints about this type of misconduct and a groundswell of interest in discussing this issue, a small group of members of the community began to grow into a network of citizens seeking greater information about the activities of the local police department.
After an initial series of meetings in which community members described police abuses and demonstrated anger and frustration with the situation, a decision was made to work towards two specific goals. The first and immediate goal was to make the police aware of our concerns and to get a response from the department. The second goal a long range plan would be to form a citizen oversight group to act as a permanent mechanism to establish a better relationship between the people and the police.
Our goal is
- to ensure the integrity of investigations of police misconduct.
- to enhance the community confidence in the Fresno Police Department, thus reducing judicial and liability expenses.
- to make public reports.
- to make policy recommendations to the police department and the public.
- to insure the thoroughness of internal affairs investigations by having the power, by recommendations and by direct subpoena, to require the presence and consideration of witnesses and documents at specific internal affairs investigations.
On February 26th, 2007, the Fresno County Grand Jury released a nine-page report saying an Independent Police Auditor would give the public a better look inside the Police Department and bolster community trust. Read the Fresno Bee story. The Fresno Bee's editorial of February 28, 2007 says "It's time for the Fresno City Council to get on board."
"I support all efforts that increase the level of trust the community has of its police department. An independent auditor can serve to further enhance an agency's transparency." —Jerry Dyer, Chief of Police