The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is an independent department that investigates, considers, or takes other actions concerning the complaints against the police officers. Typically, such complaints occur when a police officer abuses his authority, implements excessive force, or uses inappropriate language. The CCRB’s goals are to study the cases thoroughly, present factual evidence, report relevant issues, and promote understanding between the community and police departments.
There are multiple types of public complaints regarding the misconduct of police officers. They primarily include the abuse of power, which means police officers resort to methods restricted by the regulations. Moreover, they tend to use offensive language while arresting somebody or just throw curse words while watching the order. Some cops’ actions may even be considered harassment or discrimination, especially now when the racial issues are relevant. These behaviors lead to civilian complaints and further severe punishments. Therefore, aggressive cops’ demeanor is strictly watched by CCRB so that not a single citizen is threatened. What is more, it is observed by the police department.
For these complaints to be heard, there are some actions that the CCRB and the New York Police Department are to follow. For instance, “the board shall have the power to receive, investigate, hear, make findings and recommend action upon complaints by members of the public against members of the police department that allege misconduct” (NYC, 2019, para. 6). Moreover, the board should present truthful evidence towards the subject of a complaint. The Council issues rules of procedure according to the city’s administrative procedures act, including regulations governing how investigations and recommendations are made and how they are conducted.
By a tremendous part vote of its individuals, the board may demand the presence of witnesses and the accommodation of such reports and different materials. They are essential for the examination of cases alluded to its capability by the Code. The CCRB will build up an intervention program under which the candidate can intentionally choose to determine the objection through casual compromise (NYC, n.d.b). The board presents a semi-yearly report to the chairman and city Council, which depicts its exercises and sums up the consequences of its activities. The Council is answerable for advising people in general about the Council and its obligations and creates and actualizes a continuous state-funded training program with respect to this chapter’s arrangements.
The police department will give such help as the board may sensibly ask for and participate entirely with the board’s examinations. Moreover, it may provide the board, upon demand, with records and different materials vital for investigations directed under this segment, aside from such documents or materials that cannot be uncovered by law (NYC, n.d.a). The police commissioner will guarantee that officials and representatives of the police department show up before the commission and its regular citizen examiners. It will react to demands regarding examinations led under this part, given such requests are made as per the Department’s techniques for meeting individuals from the commission. The Commissioner of police will report to the Council in hard copy on any assessments made, including the degree of control and any coercive punishment (NYC, 2019). It can be done at any time when the Council has submitted its opinion or proposal to the Commissioner of police on an issue within its competence under this segment.
References
NYC. (n.d.a). About CCRB. Web.
NYC. (n.d.b). Complaints. Web.
NYC. (2019). Chapter 18: Civilian Complaint Review Board [PDF document]. Web.