New London — A special committee tasked with a review of policies and practices of the New London Police Department has suggested the formation of a civilian police review board and a charter change to clear the path for creation of a police commission.
Months of work by the Public Safety Policy Review Committee is summarized in a 17-page report with a list of recommendations, with short- and long-term goals, aimed at providing more community oversight and police accountability.
The report, guided by the state’s new police accountability legislation, was submitted to Mayor Michael Passero this week.
The committee does not call for an outright reduction of the police budget but does advocate for a restructuring of police funds and a “holistic approach to budgeting for public safety and support services.”