Civilian oversight of law enforcement

Civilian oversight, sometimes referred to as civilian review or citizen oversight, is a form of civilian participation in reviewing government activities, most commonly accusations of police misconduct.[1] Members of civilian oversight boards (variously known as civilian review boards, civilian police oversight agencies, citizen review boards or similar) are generally not employed by the government entity which they are reviewing.[2] These groups are tasked with direct involvement in the citizen complaints process and develop solutions to improve government accountability. Responsibilities of civilian oversight groups can vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction and their ability to become influential. Oversight should not simply criticize but should improve government[3] through citizen support for government responsiveness, accountability, transparency, and overall efficiency.[4]

Proactive civilian oversight improves transparency and demands accountability at all levels of government.[5] Reporting and monitoring (financial records, performance measures, and open records,... etc.) are now regarded as fundamental governance responsibilities.[6] Citizen Advisory Boards are a way for civilians to be involved in government oversight. Other forms of government oversight include citizen committees, community panels, citizen juries, public participation, negotiated rulemaking, and mediation[7]

An effective civilian oversight committee is structured to take on the following responsibilities: create processes for risk governance, monitoring and reporting; create clear defined duties to improve effectiveness and avoid overlapping work; recruit/retain members that are knowledgeable and engaged about policy; develop critiques that result in improved service outcomes; assign oversight responsibilities to designated individuals or groups for specific government functions; and reviews rolls regularly.[6][8]

Civilian oversight boards brainstorm ideas to improve transparency and create policy proposals.[9] Most proposals regarding civilian oversight have been with respects to police activities,[10] healthcare, non-profit and private sector.

  1. ^ DeAngelis, Rosenthal, and Buchner.(2014) "Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement: A Review of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Various Models." National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, September 2016, pp. 8-10 [1]
  2. ^ Marlene K. Rebori (2011) Citizen advisory boards and their influence on local decision-makers, Community Development, 42:1, 84-96, DOI: 10.1080/15575330.2010.505294 [2].
  3. ^ Faleye, Olubunmi, Rani Hoitash, and Udi Hoitash,(2013) "The trouble with too much board oversight." MIT Sloan Review pg.53-56
  4. ^ Rahman, H.Z., & Robinson, M. (2006). Governance and state effectiveness in Asia.IDS Bulletin (37) p. 130–149.
  5. ^ Welcome to citizenoversight.com
  6. ^ a b Prybil, Lawrence, and Rex Killian.(2014) "Community Benefit Needs Board Oversight" Health Progress pg 90-94.
  7. ^ Webler, Thomas. Fairness and competence in citizen participation: Evaluating models of environmental discourse (1995-01-01) p. 17-33. ISBN 0792-335171.
  8. ^ Pelletier, Stephen G.(2014)"High Performing Committees: What Makes Them Work?" Trusteeship pg 8-15.
  9. ^ Denver City Government (2010). Citizen oversight board Archived 2010-09-22 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ Weitzer R. (2004). Public Opinion on Reforms in Policing. Police Chief.