The Tucson Police Department's new Citizen Force Review Board is a pilot program to enhance transparency within the department and lets community members review use of force cases.
We checked in now that the five selected community members have completed training at the police academy. Officers say it's been an incredibly positive experience so far.
Five community members and a member of the Independent Police Auditor's office are a part of this new board, and they will specifically reviews uses of non-lethal force (i.e. use of a baton, pepper balls, tasers), but no cases involving guns.
The Citizen Force Review Board will also review officer behavior in cases where a member of the public complained about being roughly handled or injured by an officer.
TPD asked the Independent Police Auditor's office to recruit the community members in an effort to be as transparent as possible. Then, the members had to go through three days of training at the police academy.
Once the board reviews a case, they can make recommendations to the department on what the individual or the department can change.
This program will run for six months, and then TPD will assess how the program is working and make adjustments if needed.
