Syracuse council undermines independence of police watchdog (Your Letters)

To the Editor:
The Citizen Review Board (CRB) was created in 1993 for the purpose of “… establish[ing] a citizen-controlled process for reviewing grievances involving members of the Syracuse Police Department.” Autonomy is fundamental to the CRB’s effectiveness. But for the second time this year, the Common Council threatens the CRB’s independence.
In its new legislation, the council seeks to have termination power over the CRB director. This would be in addition to the CRB having its own termination authority. The legislation would allow for termination of the CRB director by a majority vote of the council for “good cause,” a term left mostly undefined.
The new legislation would create two supervisors for the next director. The board’s current Personnel Committee — currently consisting of three board members, the chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee and the mayor or designee — would be rendered obsolete.
Instead of making new powers for themselves that erode the effectiveness of the CRB, I challenge the council to exercise its existing checks and balances. In addition to having a representative on the personnel committee, the council has the power to appoint and remove board members, the power to amend the board’s legislation and the power of the purse. These are ample remedies that have not been fully utilized by the council. Appropriate use of them could enhance the CRB’s effectiveness.
Joey Favata
Citizens Review Board Member
Mayoral Appointee
Syracuse
Related: Syracuse council tries again to rein in police watchdog amid staff concerns about leader