Executive Director Named to Riverside Police Review Panel

Taking another step toward establishing civilian oversight of the Police Department, city officials Wednesday named an executive director of the new Community Police Review Commission.

City Manager John Holmes named Charles D. “Don” Williams as executive director. Williams, who will earn $78,000 per year, will start Nov. 1.

The appointment comes nearly two years after four white police officers shot and killed a black woman, Tyisha Miller. The incident stirred accusations that the department is riddled with racism and brought a lawsuit from Miller’s family and an investigation by the U.S. attorney’s office.

The shooting and its aftermath prompted a host of reforms designed to improve the department’s relationship with minorities.

One of the reforms was the creation of the review commission, which will address grievances brought against police. The commission will evaluate police conduct and allegations of excessive force, improper use of firearms, illegal searches and false arrests.

Williams has served the last two years as the special investigator for the San Diego County Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board. He also served in the Houston Police Department for 22 years, where he also worked as an internal affairs investigator.