Over the years the number of oversight bodies has proliferated, but the number of police killings has remained consistent and officers are still rarely charged in those cases. So: how effective are these civilian groups?
If we're going to create change around the country, we have to use all the tools at our disposal
In 22 states, laws known as an officers' bill of rights protect officers from investigation and prosecution from conduct during their work and have curtailed oversight efforts, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Maryland became the first state to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights in April and enacted new measures to give civilians a role in police discipline.
Having the power to discipline officers is critical in police accountability, Sinyangwe said. But just 6% have the ability to do so, according to a 2016 NACOLE report. San Francisco, Detroit and Milwaukee are some of the cities that have oversight agencies with disciplinary powers. Stella Cziment, the acting independent police monitor, told ABC News her office has made a"huge impact" in changing the police system and"the NOPD has implemented almost all of our recommendations."
"There's still a lot of room for improvement and there always will be. That's because our community expectations around policing changes, especially in light of incidents, like the murder of George Floyd," Cziment said.Members of the New Orelans Police patrol Bourbon Street during the pandemic, March 16, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana.Homing in on the community's voice is what activists in Chicago are fighting for now.
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