Phoenix is accepting applications for people to serve on the city’s civilian review board, established to help improve transparency and accountability within the Police Department.
Before the city created the board, council members debated who should be eligible. They decided not to allow current or former law enforcement or people with claims or lawsuits against the police department going back 10 years. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and live or work in Phoenix.
The board will review, discuss and approve monitoring reports issued by the Office of Accountability and Transparency. The office was created in 2021 to perform independent civilian oversight of police, but in 2022, a state law limited the office’s authority.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will nominate nine board members who must be approved by two-thirds of the council. Applications are due Aug. 16. They can be filed electronically or hard copy by printing, mailing or delivering to: City of Phoenix Office of Accountability and Transparency, 350 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
A city spokesperson said the civilian review board is expected to hold its first monthly meeting this fall.
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