by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Should there be civilian representation on a board that reviews the actions of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies after they are involved in a shooting?
The request for a citizen’s review board to investigate police-involved shootings has grown with the number of shootings, 19 last year, and that discussion is now before the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission.
“We are always looking at emerging issues,” said Cynthia Watson, chair of the JHRC at Tuesday’s meeting. “This is one on the horizon.”
Watson pointed out that the mayor has not asked the commission to look into adding civilians to the JSO’s Response to Resistance Review Board. But, it was a discussion item that came up at Tuesday’s monthly meeting. The mayor does not have the authority to make changes on the review board.
The JHRC is made up of 20 members appointed by the mayor. It investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, and areas of public accommodations based upon a person’s race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital, or familial status.
During staff reports, Anthony Butler, director of Education and Community Outreach for the commission, asked what his staff’s function was when attending hearings of the Response to Resistance Review Board.
“We just want to make sure the hearings are fair for the deputy and the victim,” said commissioner Dr. James Crooks.
The commission agreed that Butler’s purpose was to observe the hearings and report on the proceedings. The group was also informed that the review board was comprised of members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. A discussion of adding a civilian presence to the review board followed.
“Civilians don’t have the background to understand the decision making process involved for law enforcement personnel,” said commissioner Ed Johnson, who is also a retired lieutenant with JSO. “The review board understands the department procedures and state statutes when reviewing every part of each incident.”
Training was suggested to give a civilian a better idea of police practices.
“I believe, if we are going to understand what’s going on (at the review board) we need to attend the Citizen’s Academy,” said commissioner Dan Principe, a former JSO deputy. “It would give people an idea of how tough the job is.”
Citizen’s Academy gives the public a chance to look at how the JSO operates once a week for 12 3-hour sessions. The fall session is full, but applications are being accepted for the spring 2009 session.
“No one questions how tough their job is,” said commissioner Dennis Wade, a former vice president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the NAACP. “But we know they are fraternal and paramilitary. How fair can a review board of police be for police?”
This debate may be added to the list of items in front of the JHRC Research Committee, headed by Wade. The committee is also researching how other communities have added gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) legislation to its municipal code concerning civil rights. It is in the process of surveying the community to find out the grievances of the GLBT community and what the attitude of the community is toward GLBT legislation.
“As you can see the research committee has a lot of work in front of it. We need some more members to help with some pretty big projects,” said Watson after she announced the resignation of Jay Wilkes from the commission.