Meetings Coming Up On Alexandria Community Policing Review Board

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Options for establishing an Independent Community Policing Review Board will be considered by Alexandria City Council on March 9.

The draft ordinance under consideration would establish the purpose, scope, membership requirements, board duties and more details for the board. Public meetings are scheduled for Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m., and Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. A public hearing and consideration of the ordinance could come as soon as March 13.

The effort to create a civilian police review board stems from the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd in police custody in May 2020. On June 9, 2020, City Council adopted a resolution condemning policy brutality and systemic racism, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, and stating intent to create a community policing review board.

In addition, new Virginia legislation says that a law enforcement civilian body can receive, investigate and issue findings on civilian complaints related to conduct of law-enforcement officers and civilian employees of law enforcement. The legislation also recognizes there is no one-size-fits-all model for community policing review boards to meet the needs of every community.

City Council's draft ordinance was developed through examination of review boards throughout the U.S. and Alexandria's own needs. As stated in the draft ordinance, the board's purposes are to "provide timely, fair and objective review, investigation and evaluation of policing policies, practices, procedures, and outcomes in Alexandria; provide meaningful assessments and corrective recommendations intended to remedy discriminatory practices, including racial and social inequities, that it may find; ensure the protection of all communities through recommended actions and reform, including in the criminal justice system; and recommend strategies for effectively implementing these reforms in our community."

Under the draft proposal, the board would be made up of seven members appointed who live in Alexandria and reflect the city's demographic diversity. Members would be appointed by City Council for three-year terms and chosen based on expertise and experience related to the board duties. At least three members would come from marginalized communities that have commonly experienced disparate policing in Alexandria or Virginia; one member would come from an organization, office or agency seeking racial or social justice or advocating on behalf of marginalized communities; and one member would have previous experience in law enforcement.

The board would enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Alexandria Police Department defining the relationships and mutual obligations between them. After initial members are appointed, the board would meet to establish practices and procedures, including the process for receiving community complaints regarding police conduct.

The ordinance specifies the kinds of incidents the independent policing investigator would investigate on behalf of the board: incidents resulting in death; use of force incidents creating substantial risk of death, serious and protracted disfigurement, or result in impairment of bodily organ or limb function; or "severe misconduct" defined as dereliction of duty or unlawful or improper behavior.

The independent investigator would provide a report of investigation to the board, and at least one public hearing would be held on the investigation. Potential actions could involve dismissing the complaint, referring the complaint to the commonwealth's attorney, or recommend disciplinary action be taken by the police chief.

As stated in the draft ordinance, the board would also be able to review existing and proposed rules and procedures related to the operation of the Alexandria Police Department, as well as recommend police practices policies and procedures to City Council, city manager and police department.

The draft ordinance is not final, as some provisions are still being considered by City Council. Residents can provide feedback at the upcoming meetings. On March 1, a recorded multilingual presentation will be posted with an option to provide comments. Feedback received before March 9 will be provided to City Council.

For more information, visit the Community Policing Review Board web page.