Compton Municipal Code § 2-17 Law Enforcement Review Board

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Section 2-17, Affirmative Action Commission, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance No. 1650 was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance No. 2128.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

There is hereby established a Law Enforcement Review Board which shall consist of eleven members.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

For purposes of this section of the Municipal Code, "Law Enforcement" shall mean the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

a. The duties of the Law Enforcement Review Board shall be to:

1. Receive and review citizen complaints of allegations and incidents by the Los Angeles County Sherif's Department occurring within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Compton. The Law Enforcement Review Board will encourage persons with complaints about law enforcement actions of misconduct (or other offense) to file a complaint and will widely publicize the procedures for filing complaints.

2. Forward citizen complaints to the Los Angeles County Sheriff' Department and/or the Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission.

3. Advocate for policies which promote fair and humane treatment for alleged violators of crime and that will also provide for safety of both citizens and law enforcement officers.

4. Discuss issues and formulate recommendations on policy and training improvements that are consistent with community values related to law enforcement policies and practices.

5. Prepare a written report about the complaints and recommendations which are to be submitted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and/or Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission.

b. The Law Enforcement Review Board shall not be authorized to:

1. Conduct its own investigation of complaints against law enforcement personnel.

2. Interfere with the performance of the powers and duties of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

3. Decide policies, direct activities or impose discipline on Los Angeles County departments, officers and employees.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

The members of the Law Enforcement Review Board shall be either residents of or licensed business owners in the City. With the advice of the City Attorney, each Council member shall appoint two members to the Committee and the Mayor shall appoint three members to the Committee (each such appointee, individually, a "Council Appointee" and collectively, "Council Appointees"). The Board shall invite to each meeting the groups familiar with the issues involved in building and maintaining trust between the City, County and the community, including but not limited to representatives from the City, County, Civilian Oversight Board, faith-based groups, youth groups, advocacy groups, residents of the City and, to the extent practicable, formerly incarcerated members of the community.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

The Law Enforcement Review Board shall elect a Chair and a Vice-Chair in accordance with the City Charter, Section 1004.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

a. The City Manager shall assign a staff liaison to the Board to be responsible for staff liaison duties. These duties shall include:

1. Attending all meetings of the Law Enforcement Review Board.

2. Prepare meeting agendas and maintain records of meeting agendas and minutes.

3. Submitting records, agendas and minutes to the City Clerk.

4. Participate in discussions and make recommendations with reference to any matter coming before the Law Enforcement Review Board.

b. The Staff liaison shall be a non-voting representative of the Board.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

Pursuant to the City Charter, Section 1002, each Council Appointee appointed thereafter shall serve for a term of four years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

If a vacancy occurs other than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

Any Council Appointee of the Law Enforcement Review Board may be removed by four votes pursuant to Section 1002 of the Charter.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

The Law Enforcement Review Board will schedule regular meetings, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. The meetings will be held at such location designated by the City Manager.

a. For the purpose of conducting meetings and making recommendations pertaining to the Board, any six Council Appointees of the Law Enforcement Board shall constitute a quorum.

b. The Board and its members shall be governed by the Ralph M. Brown Act ("Brown Act"), applicable City laws, rules and polices (including, without limitation, with respect to conflicts of interest) and all other applicable laws. Unless excepted by provision of the Brown Act, all meetings of the Board shall be open and public, and any person shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the Law Enforcement Review Board. Agendas shall be prepared prior to each meeting and posted by the staff liaison designated by the City Manager.

c. The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings, which shall be a public record.

d. The Board may adopt rules and regulations to govern procedures.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

Special Meetings may be called at any time by the Chair or six Council Appointees of the Law Enforcement Review Board by advance written notice and procedure as provided by law.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

Council Appointees of the Law Enforcement Review Board shall receive compensation at the rate of $50 for each meeting attended, not to exceed a total compensation of $100 in any one quarter. Funds in an amount not to exceed $4,400 for payments in future fiscal years shall be funded in the fiscal year budget of the City Attorney's Office.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

If a Council Appointee is absent from regular meetings without being excused by the Board, the Board shall act in accordance with City Charter, Section 1005.

[Added 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2322]

The Law Enforcement Review Board shall have no power or authority to bind or obligate the City or any office or department for any money, debt, undertaking or obligation of any kind in excess of the appropriation which the City Council may have made for the purposes of the Board.