Defund Your Local Sheriff? Police Reform on Ballots Nationwide
Governing
Philadelphia has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over police violence. Since the killing of William Wallace Jr. on Monday, the city has seen prayerful protests, as well as looting and attacks on police.
As it happens, Philadelphia residents already have one potential policy response on the docket. On Tuesday, citizens there will vote on whether to create a civilian review board. “We have the opportunity to create a Citizens Police Oversight Commission, with more authority to investigate citizens’ complaints — a question on the Nov. 3 ballot,” says Darrell Clarke, president of the Philadelphia city council.
Civilian review boards are not a new idea, but they’ve gained renewed currency since the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014. In addition to Philadelphia, measures to create or expand the power of civilian review boards are on the ballot in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, San Diego, Columbus, Ohio, Portland, Ore., and a number of smaller cities. Other types of oversight entities could be created or empowered in Oakland, San Jose and Sonoma County, Calif., and King County, Wash., which includes Seattle.
For civilian review boards to be effective, they have to be provided with staff and resources and true independence — not be overseen by former police chiefs, says Olugbenga Ajilore, an economist at the Center for American Progress who has studied civilian review boards.
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