Mayor Woodfin announces Civilian Review Board to provide independent assessment of police operations
Birmingham, Alabama – In an ongoing effort to improve trust between the Birmingham Police Department and residents, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced today the formation of Birmingham’s first Civilian Review Board.
The Mayor’s actions are a direct response to the recommendations from the City of Birmingham’s Public Safety Task Force and national calls for reimagining public safety.
“This announcement is a result of the collaborative work of our Public Safety Task Force and broader efforts to safeguard residents and officers’ safety,” said Mayor Woodfin. “However, the work of establishing an independent, and community led, platform for police transparency began for many residents in 1979, when Bonita Carter was killed as a result of reckless police action. Today, represents a major step in the effort to raise residents’ trust and oversight to police operations,” said Woodfin.
The Civilian Review Board has been thoughtfully structured – providing representation that cuts across a variety of influences in Birmingham.
“Our Civilian Review Board will provide authentic community voice, involvement and engagement. It is a platform for moms, pastors, community activists and professional minds to assemble to work to promote the best Birmingham has to offer from a law enforcement prospective,” said Woodfin.
Background: The Civilian Review Board
To improve relationships between the community-at-large and the BPD, this executive order establishes a Civilian Review Board for the primary purpose of providing transparency and an independent assessment on police operations, create space for accountability of the City and the police department for its operations, and review community complaints of alleged officer misconduct.
“As my administration continues to implement recommendations from the Public Safety Task Force, these executive orders will build on our model use of force standards,” Woodfin said.
Public safety is the top concern for Birmingham residents. Thanks to smart investments in our public safety infrastructure, the Woodfin administration has made progress by successfully reducing violent crime in Birmingham by 33 percent since 2017.
Members of the Civilian Review Board
Rev. Lawrence Conoway – pastor, Fellowship Bible Church
T. Marie King – activist, speaker, trainer/facilitator
Annetta Nunn, YWCA domestic violence court advocate; former chief, Birmingham Police Department
Victor Revill – criminal justice attorney, Public Safety Task Force member
Joyce White Vance – former U.S Attorney, Northern District of Alabama; Public Safety Task Force member
To learn more, please visit www.peaceandpolicy.com.
