Oversight Resources

Citizen Review of Police Complaints: Four Dimensions of Value

This 23-page paper by Deborah Livingston, a law professor at Columbia University and a member of New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board was delivered at the 2002 NACOLE conference. It defines four critical dimensions of oversight beyond merely addressing the specifics of one complaint: Holding officers accountable for misconduct; recognizing complaints as vital sources of information about a department; identifying patterns and problems related to policies or supervision rather than misconduct; building public trust and community cohesion through patient listening to all complaint parties.

2002

In Praise of Mediation

Discusses the impact that a positive mediation session can have on officers and complainants. While those involved in a difficult encounter may be reluctant to engage in face-to-face dispute resolution, if they go forward, the result can be rewarding. Originally published by California Association of Human Relations Organizations (CAHRO) Newsletter

Independent Investigation into Police Conduct in an Environment of Terrorism

The keynote address by Nuala O'Loan, Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, delivered at the 2002 NACOLE conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts provides a response to the argument that due to conditions in the United States after 9/11, policing does not require oversight and that jurisdictions cannot afford it given the higher costs of public safety.

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