ALBANY, NEW YORK
Name of Agency: Citizens’ Police Review Board (CPRB)
Contact Information:
Albany Citizens' Police Review Board
c/o Government Law Center
Albany Law School
80 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York 12208-3494
Telephone: (518) 445-2329; Fax: (518) 445-2303
Agency Website: www.albanylaw.edu
Type of oversight mechanism: Review & Appellate
Oversight of: Albany Police Department
Number of sworn police officers: approximately 340
Population of City: 98,424 (2013 estimate) http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/3601000.html
Enabling legislation:
City of Albany, Article XLIV, General Provisions [Adopted 7-17-2000 by L.L. No. 2-2000, As Amended 10-4-2004 by L.L. No. 8-2004]
§ 42-332. Legislative findings; purpose.
(See Attachment 1, CPRB legislation)
Staff:
In a unique relationship with the Government Law Center (GLC), the CPRB is staffed by 1 coordinator; 1 part time administrative assistant; and student interns. In addition to the GLC staff the CPRB is assisted by 5 monitors who are tasked with the observation and review of the OPS investigation.
Budget: $250,000
Authority/function/jurisdiction of the agency
(See Attachment 1, CPRB legislation and Attachment 2, CPRB bylaws)
Scope of agency’s authority:
(See Attachment 1, CPRB legislation and Attachment 2, CPRB bylaws)
Mediation:
In July 2000, the City of Albany enacted a new law creating the Citizens' Police Review Board (CPRB). As part of that law, the City authorized the creation of a mediation program designed to provide an opportunity for citizens and police officers to sit down with two mediators in a neutral setting to discuss the issues raised in the complaint filed by the citizen.
(See Attachment 3, CPRB Mediation program)
Volunteer Board:
The CPRB is comprised of nine volunteer members, five appointed by the Mayor and four appointed by the Albany Common Council.
“Members of the CPRB shall reside in the City of Albany and possess a reputation for fairness, integrity and responsibility and have demonstrated an active interest in public affairs and service. The Common Council and the Mayor shall endeavor to reflect community diversity in their appointments, including income level, race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation and experience and shall, in their appointments, solicit recommendations from the community. Officers (as defined in the City of Albany Charter), current employees of the City of Albany and the immediate relatives of officers and employees shall not be eligible for appointment.”
Mission Statement:
The CPRB is an independent body established by the city of Albany in 2000 to improve communication between the Police Department and the community, to increase police accountability and credibility with the public, and to create a complaint review process that is free from bias and informed of actual police practice.
In addition to its authority to review and comment on completed investigations of complaints made by citizens against officers of the city of Albany Police Department for alleged misconduct, the nine member Board may make recommendations to the Common Council and the Mayor regarding police policies and practices relevant to the goals of community policing and the exercise of discretionary authority by police officers. Board members are appointed by the Mayor and the Common Council. The Board is required to, among other things, undergo significant training, and engage in public outreach and education.
Performance Reviews or Surveys:
- Surveys conducted 2001 – 2009 of complainants concerning the level of their satisfaction with the CPRB process and surveys of the community concerning the CPRB and the Police Department presented in a 2010 report by theJohn F. Finn Institute for Public Safety Report Prepared for the Albany Citizens’ Police Review Board, the City of Albany, and the Albany Law School Government Law Center. (See Attachment 4)
Links:
- CCRB website: http://www.albanylaw.edu/glc/about/expertise/police/Pages/Contact%20Us.aspx
- CPRB Legislation: http://www.albanylaw.edu/glc/about/expertise/police/Pages/Legislation.aspx
- CPRB bylaws: http://albanylaw.edu/glc/about/expertise/police/Pages/By-Laws%20and%20Rules.aspx
- http://www.albanylaw.edu/media/user/glc/police_review_board/final_bylaws_copy_quorum_change101206.pdf
- CCRB Mediation Program: http://www.albanylaw.edu/glc/about/expertise/police/Pages/Mediation.aspx
Quarterly & Annual reports:
ATTACHMENTS:
2) CPRB bylaws