Ongoing engagement with and support from stakeholders regarding local public safety and law enforcement-related issues is an important component of effectiveness. An otherwise well-designed civilian oversight mechanism can be undermined over time by a lack of meaningful support from those who can contribute to an agency’s success. While establishing and supporting civilian oversight may be politically expedient in times of crisis, successful oversight requires the sustained support and interest of stakeholders who value independence, accountability, and transparency.An agency’s ability to maintain this support may be a function of its outreach to those stakeholders. Maintaining productive relationships, even in times where disagreement and conflict may be unavoidable, will be crucial to future problem-solving, cooperation, and collaboration on key issues.
- Independence
- Clearly Defined and Adequate Jurisdiction and Authority
- Unfettered Access to Records and Facilities
- Access to Law Enforcement Executives and Internal Affairs Staff
- Full Cooperation
- Sustained Stakeholder Support
- Adequate Funding and Operational Resources
- Public Reporting and Transparency
- Policy and Patterns in Practice Analysis
- Community Outreach
- Community Involvement
- Confidentiality, Anonymity, and Protection from Retaliation
- Procedural Justice and Legitimacy