Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 2.76 Community Police Review Commission

Editor's note— Ord. 7757, § 34, adopted March 11, 2026 repealed § 2.76.010. Former § 2.76.010 pertained to title and derived from Ord. 6516, § 1, adopted 2000.

The general purpose of this chapter is to promote effective, efficient, trustworthy and just law enforcement in the City of Riverside, and to bring to the attention of the City its findings and recommendations in regard to law enforcement policies and practices. Further, it is the purpose of this chapter to ensure good relations between those who enforce the laws and the diverse populace whom they serve so that the public will take pride in local law enforcement and those who enforce the laws will take pride in their service to the public.

(Ord. 7757, § 35, 2026; Ord. 6516 § 1, 2000)

Pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, Appointive Boards and Commissions, of the Charter of the City of Riverside, as the same now exists or is hereafter amended, there is hereby created a Community Police Review Commission. The Commission Manager of the Commission or his/her representative shall be responsible for attending all meetings of the Commission and be responsible for maintaining all records and minutes.

(Ord. 7757, § 36, 2026; Ord. 7341 § 2, 2016; Ord. 6516 § 1, 2000)

The Community Police Review Commission shall consist of nine members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Members shall be removed from the Commission by five affirmative votes of the Mayor and City Council for incompetence, malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance or neglect of duty.

The term of each member of the Commission shall be for four years. No person shall serve more than two full terms. Serving more than one year of an expired term shall be counted as service of one full term.

(Ord. 6848 § 3, 2006; Ord. 6786 § 8, 2004; Ord. 6516 § 1, 2000)

The powers, duties and functions of the Community Police Review Commission are as follows:

A. To advise the Mayor and City Council on all police/community relations issues.

B. To conduct public outreach to educate the community on the purpose of the Commission.

C. To receive, and in its discretion, review and investigate, through the City Manager, complaints filed within six months of the date of the alleged police employee misconduct, in writing with the Commission or any other City office, which allege persons employed by the Riverside Police Department in a sworn capacity with, but not limited to (a) use of excessive force, (b) discrimination or sexual harassment in respect to members of the public, (c) the improper discharge of firearms, (d) illegal search or seizure, (e) false arrest, (f) false reporting, (g) criminal conduct, (h) misconduct. "Misconduct" is defined to mean and include any alleged improper or illegal acts, omissions or decisions directly affecting the person or property of a specific community member by reason of:

1. Alleged violation of any general, standing, or special orders or guidelines of the Riverside Police Department, or

2. An alleged violation of any state or federal law that occur in the course and scope of employment, or

3. Any act otherwise evidencing improper or unbecoming conduct by a sworn police officer employed by the Riverside Police Department.

D. To review and investigate the death of any individual arising out of or in connection with actions of a sworn police officer, regardless of whether a complaint regarding such death has been filed.

E. To conduct a hearing on filed complaints or Commission initiated investigations when such hearing, in the discretion of the Commission, will facilitate the fact finding process.

F. To the extent permissible by law, exercise the power of subpoena to require the attendance of witnesses, including persons employed by the City of Riverside, and the production of books and papers pertinent to the investigation and to administer oaths to such witnesses and to take testimony. Subpoenas shall only be issued by the Commission upon the affirmative of six Commission members.

G. To make findings concerning allegations contained in the filed complaint to the City Manager and Police Chief.

H. To review and advise the Police Department in matters pertaining to police policies and practices.

I. To prepare and submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council on Commission activities.

(Ord. 7459 § 5, 2019; Ord. 6516 § 1, 2000)

All personnel records, investigative reports, documents generated within the City of Riverside Police Department, information relating to closed session deliberations of the Commission, and any other privileged matters, shall be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The hearing process shall be open to the public to the extent legally permissible and insofar as it does not conflict with State or federal law.

(Ord. 6516 § 1, 2000)

Editor's note— Ord. 7757, § 37, adopted March 11, 2026 repealed § 2.76.070. Former § 2.76.070 pertained to severability and derived from Ord. 6516, § 1, adopted 2000.