The city of Berkeley has launched an outside investigation into leaked texts and allegations from an ousted police officer claiming the department's bike patrol unit was engaged in arrest quotas and a sergeant was sending anti-homeless texts.
Berkeley’s Police Accountability Board looked to the future in its Wednesday meeting, hearing updates on search consent policies and other important issues.
Berkeley Police Accountability Board holds its 1st meeting
Andrew Huang/Staff
Berkeley’s Police Accountability Board aims to provide better civilian oversight of the police department. Current board members include attorneys, police officers, former commission members and UC Berkeley law professors.
As Berkeley transitions away from the Police Review Commission, the city’s Police Accountability Board held its first meeting Wednesday.
Comprised of a wide variety of community members, including UC Berkeley law professors, attorneys, police officers and former commission members, the board is designed to objectively investigate civilian complaints of police misconduct.
Berkeley residents approved the creation of the board in November 2020 to replace the Police Review Commission, Berkeley’s previous system of civilian oversight, which was adopted by Berkeley voters in 1973.