Civilian police commission announcement no surprise to chair of current Community Complaint Review Board
Date: 1/18/2010
Jan. 18, 2010By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
SPRINGFIELD - The announcement made by Mayor Domenic Sarno on Jan. 11 that his administration would create a new civilian police commission with disciplinary authority was not a surprise to the chair of the Community Complaint Review Board (CCRB).
Edgar Alejandro told Reminder Publications the CCRB members had met with Sarno on Jan. 5 to discuss a list of recommendations to strengthen the role of the CCRB in the hiring, promotions and discipline in the police department "beyond its current scope."
Alejandro said Sarno "expedited the process" with his announcement in light of the latest case of alleged police brutality involving Officer Jeffrey Asher on Nov. 27.
Sarno said in a written statement, "The civilian review of complaints regarding the use of force is necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigations in the eyes of the public. Oversight will reassure the residents of the city of Springfield that investigations, even when conducted within the Police Department by the Internal Investigation Unit, are thorough and fair."
On Jan. 13, Sarno and Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet announced the Federal Bureau of Investigation has initiated a preliminary investigation into the incident.
Sarno gave City Solicitor Ed Pikula a deadline of two weeks to write a proposal creating the new commission. The proposed commission would replace the existing CCRB. Alejandro said there has been no notification from the mayor if the CCRB members would be included in the new police commission.
Alejandro said the CCRB would continue to meet and do its job. Its next regularly scheduled meeting will be Jan. 28.
He said, "He had been looking at a greater role [for the CCRB]. He had been heading in that direction . My sense is that prior to this incident the mayor was very open to [changes for the CCRB.]"
