NEWARK, NJ — Details of Newark’s Civilian Complaint Review Board were announce on Wednesday, March 2, in City Hall, at the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council. The new board will have the power to issue subpoenas, conduct investigations and establish a mediation program to enable complainants to resolve their complaints through informal conciliation.
“This is a historic moment for the city of Newark, in how we address the continuing issue of public safety, and improve the relationship between our police and our residents. We are correcting one of the serious issues that have long affected the Newark Police Department, an issue which led to the imposition of a federal monitor over our department. Newark’s first Civilian Complaint Review Board is part of our answer to these issues, and we are creating a unique, progressive, and fully transparent board,” Mayor Ras J. Baraka said on Wednesday, March 2. “Once this board is in operation, residents who have complaints or concerns about police behavior will be able to be certain they will be treated with support, understanding, professionalism, respect and, most importantly, action.”
With the exception of the city’s inspector general, Newark’s Civilian Complaint Review Board will have no police officers on it. All members will be appointed by the mayor or the council or be representatives of clergy or community organizations, such as La Casa de Don Pedro, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the People’s Organization for Progress, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of New Jersey, the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition and the Ironbound Community Corporation.
It will review complaints concerning police behavior and have the power to receive, investigate, hear, make findings and recommend action on complaints by members of the public — including but not limited to complaints made by other police officers or personnel — against uniformed members of the Police Department. This includes allegations of misconduct involving excessive use of force, abuse of authority, unlawful arrest, unlawful stop, unlawful searches, discourtesy or use of offensive language. The board’s findings will be submitted to the police director for review and disciplinary action.
The Newark Communities for Accountable Policing community advocacy coalition is comprised of 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers East; the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey; Ironbound Community Corporation; Garden State Equality; NAACP-NJ and NAACP- Newark; New Jersey Institute for Social Justice; and the People’s Organization for Progress.
Director of Public Safety Anthony Ambrose said, on Wednesday, March 2, “There is no finer police department in the nation than Newark’s. However, I have no tolerance for officers who use excessive force, abuse their authority, use offensive language or engage in conduct that disrespects both their uniform and the residents we serve. That is why I welcome the federal monitor and am proud to stand with the mayor today in welcoming the CCRB. Make no mistake: we will maintain a clear, transparent and professional disciplinary process in our Police Department, to ensure that our residents and visitors receive the police services they deserve, the protection they need, as we create a safer city for all.”
The board will meet publicly once a month, provide public reports on its activities and publish statistics on its cases and their disposition on their public website. However, investigations will be confidential, to protect the privacy of both complainants and defendants. Persons being investigated will have the right to counsel. The board will have the power to issue subpoenas. Its budget will be a line item within the budget of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police.
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