CITIZEN'S REVIEW BOARD UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A few years ago, this writer started CILEA, an acronym for Citizens Initiative for Law Enforcement Accountability.  The mission ...accountability in cases that affect the community's quality of life and improving relations with law enforcement and citizens, but a citizen's review board was never initiated. 

In recent days this community has been plagued with continuing allegations of wrongdoing concerning Utica's Police Department...and controversy has placed this community on edge and placed our officers in jeopardy while performing their jobs.  It's not healthy, it's dangerous for our officers and it creates a hostile environment not conducive to building a healthy partnership in police-citizen relationships.

It is my understanding that some time ago, Cassandra Harris -Lockwood and the Utica Police Department entered into an agreement to address community complaints through a conflict resolution program.  Not sure of all the details, but do know that any complaint that was to be discussed was on a confidential level.  Well, we saw what happened there...the agreement obviously was breached when Lockwood exposed a video of what is alleged to be an officer planting drugs on a suspect. 

Having taken many conflict resolution courses, this breach of good faith destroyed any future chance of resolving conflict in the community.  In my opinion... it was disastrous and created an heightened level of mistrust between law enforcement and the community.

Let's put it into perspective....we have living amongst us ruthless thugs who at any given point in time would love to off an officer, rather than look at them..we don't need another Tom Lindsey tragedy..we are playing a dangerous game. 

There must be in place a venue for resolve...the community and the police department must come together and an initiative in building a relationship of trust and partnership is not an option...it is a necessity! 

Therefore, as the founder of CILEA, I am compiling a list of names of candidates to sit on a citizen's review board. The criteria: candidates must be logical, possess critical thinking skills, they must be impartial, possess some knowledge in the areas of conflict resolution, the law, understand the concepts of human and civil rights. A candidate must possess the ability to gather and synthesize information and most importantly...have absolutely no political connections or influence. 

I am hoping at some time within the next few days to engage in dialog with the Mayor and the Chief of Police to gain their co-operation.  Regardless, this Citizen's Review Board will be adopted, along with a mission statement, with or without the blessings of the Utica Police Department.