Birmingham Launches Citizen Review Board To Oversee Public Safety

BIRMINGHAM, AL — In an ongoing effort to improve trust between the Birmingham Police Department and residents, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Monday the formation of Birmingham’s first Civilian Review Board.

The Mayor’s actions are a direct response to the recommendations from the City of Birmingham’s Public Safety Task Force and national calls for re-imagining public safety.

In essence, the board will review complaints of police misconduct in Birmingham, and Woodfin said members will have subpoena power as they investigate matters the incidents.

"This announcement is a result of the collaborative work of our Public Safety Task Force and broader efforts to safeguard residents and officers’ safety," Woodfin said. "However, the work of establishing an independent, and community led, platform for police transparency began for many residents in 1979, when Bonita Carter was killed as a result of reckless police action. Today, represents a major step in the effort to raise residents’ trust and oversight to police operations."

Members of the Civilian Review Board includes:

• Rev. Lawrence Conoway – pastor, Fellowship Bible Church
• T. Marie King – activist, speaker, trainer/facilitator
• Annetta Nunn, YWCA domestic violence court advocate; former chief, Birmingham Police Department
• Victor Revill – criminal justice attorney, Public Safety Task Force member
• Joyce White Vance – former U.S Attorney, Northern District of Alabama; Public Safety Task Force member

"Our Civilian Review Board will provide authentic community voice, involvement and engagement," Woodfin said. "It is a platform for moms, pastors, community activists and professional minds to assemble to work to promote the best Birmingham has to offer from a law enforcement prospective."