DEPARTMENT: Office of the City Clerk
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tina J. Flores
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Appointments to the Citizen Advisory Action Board, commonly referred to as the Complaint and Administrative Review Board.
SUMMARY:
This item approves the appointment of the following two members of the community to the Citizen Advisory Action Board for a two-year term to expire on February 11, 2023. The Citizen Advisory Action Board (CAAB) is also commonly referred to as the Complaint and Administrative Review Board (CARB).
1. Richard Delgado
2. Skylar Camarena
The selected applicants will serve with the current civilian board members.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Citizen Advisory Action Board (CAAB), also commonly referred to as the Complaint and Administrative Review Board (CARB), is comprised of seven uniformed officers and seven civilians. The Board meets bi-weekly to hear investigations on complaints made against police officers for misconduct, use of force and violations of the SAPD general manual and makes recommendations of discipline to the Police Chief. The Police Chief selects a Deputy Chief to serve as the Chairman of the CAAB for a six-month term. The remaining six uniform positions, which consist of one Captain, one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one Detective-Investigator and two patrol officers, are selected to serve a six month term by the Police Chief from a list of officers that respond to a department-wide advertisement. Including a diverse group of community members in the review of complaints against police officers enhances the transparency of the disciplinary process and allows for the shared discussion of an incident which results in a thorough review.
During these hearings, the Board is presented details of the Internal Affairs investigation, question the officers and/or the complainants and recommend whether or not the complaint is founded or unfounded. The uniform officers and citizens take separate votes on whether a complaint is founded or unfounded. In the cases where a complaint is founded, both groups (uniform and citizen) make separate recommendations of discipline to the Police Chief. The Police Chief makes all final determinations on discipline.
The process outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requires the City Manager’s Office to solicit and review applicants and to recommend the appointment of individuals to City Council for consideration. Additionally, the Police Chief reviews and determines whether or not to recommend candidates for appointment. Further, and also in accordance with the CBA, application information for the recommended individuals is provided to San Antonio Police Officers Association for their review.
Each applicant must pass a background check and cannot have been indicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude or officially charged with a Class A or B misdemeanor. Additionally, selected applicants must complete training with Internal Affairs which includes an overview of CAAB procedures, case review orientation and an officer ride-along. Terms on the CAAB will be for a two-year period. A total of 14 civilians are appointed to the Board with seven members rotating every 180 days to afford every member the opportunity to participate on the Board.
ISSUE:
This Ordinance will appoint citizens to serve on the Citizen Advisory Action Board who will participate in the citizen complaint process, internal police investigations, and the SAPD disciplinary process.
ALTERNATIVES:
If applicants are rejected, the City Manager would recommend other appointments for City Council consideration.
The Office of the City Clerk will continue to promote vacancies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Citizen Advisory Action Board appointments.