Rivera - Creation of Community Advisory Body to Police Oversight Committee

Whereas               on September 26, 2017 this Body’s Police Oversight Committee announced a plan to create a Community Advisory Body made up of City residents to increase the transparency and accountability of the Police Oversight Committee;

Whereas               this Body put out a call for applications seeking residents with experience in police-community relations who had an interest in improving relationships between our residents and the Buffalo Police Department;

Whereas               over 50 applications were received to fill 11 seats on the Community Advisory Body;

Whereas              the Community Advisory Body will conduct meetings with the community, Police leadership, and research and propose policy and relationship building improvements to this Body’s Police Oversight Committee;

Whereas              the Community Advisory Body is expected to provide opportunities for residents to volunteer and provide input on how the above goals can be achieved;

Whereas              the Community Advisory Body will be given time at each Police Oversight Committee meeting to report back on its activities;

Whereas               the Community Advisory Body is charged with creating its own leadership structure and rules for operation; and

Whereas               the Community Advisory Body will exist until further action by this Body: Now, Therefore Be It

Resolved that The City of Buffalo Common Council-

1)              Creates the Community Advisory Body to the Police Oversight Committee;

2)              Send a copy of this resolution to the Police Department;

3)              Assigns staff to assist the Community Advisory Body in its creation and maintenance ; and

4)              Appoints the following individuals to the Community Advisory Body to the Police Oversight Committee:

                            Steven Sanyu; Danielle Johnson; Benjamin Nelson; Bobbi Brown; Jonathan Manes; Yasmin Young; De’Jon Hall; Ari Moore; Willie Smith; Erin Carmen; Charles Morrision