Civilian Review: A Proposed Role for Civilian Oversight Committees in Promoting Accountability in Municipal Police Departments

This paper argues that the role played by civilian oversight committees should be modelled on that of the 'civilian review' agencies which have emerged in many countries, and which this paper describes. This would involve these agencies in focusing on questions of alleged or possible wrongdoing by the police. Their function would not be an investigative one but would involve ensuring that the municipal police department is taking appropriate steps to minimise wrongdoing by their members and taking proper steps against members who are implicated in wrongdoing.