New police oversight board now has broader powers for misconduct inquests
In July, the city’s new Police Accountability Board kicked off, replacing the longstanding Police Review Commission, which was formed in 1973.
In July, the city’s new Police Accountability Board kicked off, replacing the longstanding Police Review Commission, which was formed in 1973.
Most of the money is for a new Specialized Care Unit that would respond instead of armed police to people in crisis.
State law does not currently allow civilian traffic enforcement, but Berkeley is working to change that.
Now is the time to have your say about what policing in Berkeley should look like — especially if you’re not big on public meetings.
Data about where police use rifles, launchers and other “controlled” equipment will now be public. Officials said it’s a matter of racial justice.
The 80-page analysis — the first known assessment of its kind — was published Thursday by city auditor Jenny Wong.
The city says the process will focus on finding diverse candidates and that it will involve robust community engagement.
“We must employ a variety of tactics to deter, intervene and investigate crimes,” West Berkeley Councilmember Terry Taplin said during Wednesday’s Zoom.
Capt. Jen Louis will serve as interim Berkeley police chief, “effective immediately.” The city will conduct a national search for Greenwood’s replacement.
Officers will focus on investigative stops and pulling over dangerous drivers rather than “random observations of minor equipment violations,” Police Chief Andrew Greenwood said.
Applications are due Monday, Feb. 8, for the city’s new policing task force. An online town hall on racial equity that had been planned for this week has been postponed.
Officials are forging ahead with efforts to reimagine policing in Berkeley and voted unanimously Tuesday night to launch a new community task force focused on that work in January.
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