Bill Sponsors / Authors:
Rep. Justin Holland
R - Rockwall
Sen.
Kelly Hancock
R - North Richland Hills
Supporting Documents / Links:
Senate Bill 2209 - Police Oversight
Local civilian oversight is vital to allow community members into the review/input process for oversight of local law enforcement. Particularly in cities with diverse populations, it is crucial to building trust and respect to allow citizens to take part in a checks-and-balance system for public safety.
Executive Order 1-5, signed by Mayor Turner, sets forth the structural changes to the creation of the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB) to combat the community perception that Internal Affairs Division (IAD) has over law enforcement investigations.
Senate Bill 2209 would amend Section 143.003 of the Local Government Code to prohibit "Civilian Oversight Commissions" from investigating classified employees.
As Deputy Inspector General Crystal Okorafor testified:
“The men and women of Houston’s IAD are among the most professional in the nation. However, the Committee can understand where members of the community, in the wake of high profile police misconduct cases, might have concerns over the sole-authority-IAD’s potential to abuse that with which they have been charged to protect or control.
Such sole-authority creates mistrust, in a nation that prides itself on its checks-and-balances system of government.”
The bill would have restricted law enforcement officers to police themselves against any failures or internal oversight that may occur by removing the authority of local government to determine and hold local law enforcement officers accountable outside the IAD.
Local civilian oversight is vital to each individual city and their culture by allowing community members into the reviewing process and given the authority to making recommendations.
It would bring difficultly for many cities, such as Houston’s diverse population, to building trust and respect among law enforcement if local involvement removed by allowing citizens to take part in a holistic checks and balance system for their public safety.