Coalition pushes for a police commission

Published Monday, Feb. 21, 2011

POMONA - Members of the Pomona Habla/Speaks Community Coalition went before the city's Charter Review Commission last week in support of creating a police commission.

Coalition members representing various groups addressed the Charter Review Commission Wednesday evening, saying such a body would go a long way in improving police-community relations.

Coalition member Angela Sambrano said Thursday a police commission would have a valuable role to play in the city.

"It would offer a vehicle or an entity that could review, impartially, complaints of citizens and residents," Sambrano said.

Right now if a resident has a complaint involving the Police Department, the person can take his concerns to the police or the City Council, she said.

"But there is no way to ensure impartiality," Sambrano said.

The police commission issue was not on the Charter Review Commission's agenda Wednesday evening.

A Charter Commission subcommittee established last summer to address the issue is expected to present a report on its research next month, said Eunice Russell, commission co-chairwoman.

Others who are supporting the idea are members of Pomona Valley Democratic Club, who submitted a letter of support to the city, City Clerk Marie Macias said.

Coalition member Catherine Kirui told Charter Commission members Wednesday a police commission would be good for the city's police and the public.

In addition, the city would fall in line with a number of large cities around the state including Riverside, Long Beach and San Diego that have such commissions, Kirui said.

Sambrano said a police commission would have been useful in addressing the incident that resulted in the establishment of the coalition.

The coalition came together following a massive checkpoint conducted in May 2008 at Mission Boulevard and San Antonio Avenue.

Local police were joined by multiple law enforcement agencies in carrying out the checkpoint that halted traffic in all directions for several hours.

Critics of the checkpoints accused local police of being heavy-handed.

Although a committee was created to address the matter, "it didn't have residents," Sambrano said.

Had a police commission existed in May 2008 the matter "would have been resolved with less tension," she said.

When people cannot find a resolution to a concern they often end up filing lawsuits, which cost the city money that could be better spent on other municipal needs, she said.

Coalition members suggested the Charter Review Commission consider establishing a police commission modeled after Berkeley's Police Review Commission.

The Berkeley model includes resident participation on the commission. It also provides residents a way to bring forth topics they feel need the commission's attention, Sambrano said.

That commission can carry out investigations, make recommendations on how to address community concerns brought to it and provide input on the police department's budget, she said.

Russell said Thursday the Charter Commission subcommittee focusing on the police commission topic has been doing a great deal of work.

Russell, who is a member of the police commission subcommittee, said as part of its work the group is gathering information on the number and nature of complaints filed by the public in relation to the Police Department.

In addition, the subcommittee is reviewing police commission models of other cities and other alternatives, Russell said.

"A lot of research is going into this issue," she said.

Russell said she understands the concerns expressed Wednesday evening.

"I believe the concerns of people are very real," Russell said.

Russell said she believes there is a need for a platform to address residents' concerns but isn't sure a police commission is the proper approach.

"We really have to look at all the alternatives," she said.

The Berkeley model is something Russell is familiar with and is one that involves a great deal of community involvement and commitment, she said. That results in a strong community policing component that starts with the use of Neighborhood Watch groups.