Deadline to apply for police board extended

Tallahassee Democrat, 11/23/2020


Karl Etters Tallahassee Democrat USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA City officials have announced an extension of the deadline to apply for the Citizens Police Review Board until next year. The deadline was set to expire last week, but specifically mentioning civil and social service organizations, applications will be accepted till Jan. 5.

'Civic and social service organizations is a broad category that could include local chambers of commerce, social justice advocacy groups, faith-based organizations and local mental health, juvenile justice or university/college associations, for example,' city officials wrote in a press release. 'Groups that would like to support an applicant should discuss it with the individual, who will need to submit the application and a nomination letter.'

The nine-member board will have one person appointed by each city commissioner.

The remaining four members will be appointed by the Commission based on nominations by civil and social organizations. To be considered, applicants must either live in the city, own property, be a principal in a business or nonprofit or be a utility customer at least 18 years old.

The board is intended to review and make recommendations regarding Tallahassee Police Department matters, but is viewed in some circles as ineffective because of its lack of power in directing hiring or setting policies. After three controversial incidents involving officers shooting and killing suspects earlier this year, city leaders made the review board a priority.

At the same time, some called for the city to create an elected citizens board to oversee the police department, a power that would require a change to the city charter. Those interested in applying should visit www.talgov.com/transparency/boards.aspx.

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Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter.