On February 25, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Judiciary Committee in support of HB 836 – County Police Accountability Boards – Investigation of Complaints of Police Misconduct.
This bill would authorize county governments to allow police accountability boards to investigate allegations of police misconduct and issue subpoenas as part of an investigation.
The integrity of the civilian oversight process is paramount to fulfilling the intent of police reform that has been absolutely and devotedly undertaken by all local governments. The attempt to further enable counties in that process encourages and preserves a trust in local authorities that stands to restore the faith of the public.
The structure of police accountability boards, as established by the police reform legislation of 2021, is intended to enhance public oversight of officer misconduct. This legislation would extend local government power to further enable this civilian body. Additionally, since the bill creates this ability only as an option for local governments rather than a mandate, it does not require any action from counties that feel their existing process is sufficient to uphold the intent of the original law.
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