San Diego
A San Diego police review board established by voters two years ago should be strengthened to become more independent and have greater authority to discipline police officers, San Diego City Councilman Wes Pratt said Tuesday.
Pratt said the mood is right for a stronger review board following the overwhelming citizen vote Nov. 7 to create a powerful review board to oversee the Sheriff’s Department.
He said he will recommend to the city’s Rules Committees that the City Council put a City Charter amendment on the November 1992 ballot that would strengthen the board.
The sheriff’s review board, which passed by a 2-to-1 vote, will have subpoena powers to compel witnesses to testify, much like the county grand jury. Members will be appointed by the County Board of Supervisors.
The Citizens’ Review Board on Police Practices, which voters approved two years ago, has no such power and has been criticized because its recommendations carry little weight.
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