In an editorial titled, “Don’t mess with police board,” the Tampa Tribune’s editorial page on Thursday writes that the Tampa City Council should give up its “legally suspect effort” to control who gets to name the recently enacted police civilian review board.
Thirteen days ago Mayor Bob Buckhorn signed an executive order laying out the details for a civilian review board that would review cases with the Tampa Police Department involving the use of force and other cases that resulted in internal investigations, as well as issues of importance to the community and TPD.
However, Buckhorn has alienated some members of the Council and the community by giving himself the power to name all but two members to the nine-member force (which would include two alternates). Buckhorn and City Attorney Julia Mandell say that the city’s charter vests all such powers with the mayor, and in fact the mayor said at his press conference two weeks ago that he didn’t have to give the Council the right to name any members, but is giving them two slots.
City Council Attorney Marty Shelby has challenged Mandell’s reading of the charter, and the council may hear from an independent attorney next week on whether or not she has a conflict of interest in ruling that only the mayor under the city charter can name the civilian review board members. The Council will workshop the prospect of their having the power to name the majority of the board on September 24.
The city announced today that they will now begin accepting applications to the board. Those interested in applying can find the application and additional information at www.tampagov.net. The deadline is October 15 at 5 p.m.
“We heard the community’s concerns and are moving forward with a Citizens Review Board that reflects the reality in Tampa. This board will provide an additional layer of community input and transparency that is a valuable asset to Tampa Police Department and the City,” said Mayor Buckhorn in a statement. “I intend to appoint a board along with the City Council that reflects the diversity of Tampa and incorporates a variety of opinions, backgrounds and neighborhoods. I urge all who are interested to apply for consideration.”
Meanwhile, the debate about the civilian review board continued Wednesday night at the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa.
“There’s still an opportunity for the community to express its voice about what we want in a civilian review board,” said the ACLU of Florida’s Joyce Hamilton Henry. “It’s not a done deal. There’s still an opportunity to get some component that we think is effective, and that can only happen if we show up at the workshop. It’s not over until the City Council makes a final vote.”
