Houston, Texas
Ever since video of the alleged beating of Chad Holley was released more than a week ago, not to mention the new releases of tapes demonstrating more brutality at the hands of Houston Police officers, community activists have been demanding a Civilian Review Board.
They want the board to have subpoena power when it comes to investigating complaints of police brutality.
Right now the Houston Police Department has what's called a Citizens' Review Committee or C.R.C.
According to the city's website, the committee is made up of 21 citizens
selected by the mayor. They have the opportunity to review completed internal investigations and review recommended discipline as well. The committee can make a recommendation on each case to the Chief of Police.
A former committee chairperson has shed light on exactly what the C.R.C. really is. According to Brian Cweren, the C.R.C. is nothing more than a rubber stamp for the department.
"Clearly what we have now is not working," he said.
A decade ago, Cweren was proud to be named chairperson of the Citizen's Review Committee. A certificate of service still hangs on the wall of his law office. Cweren was upset when he says a previous city administration asked him to leave before his term was up.
"In general my experience was comments and criticism were not welcome," said Cweren.
Cweren's job was to review internal investigations involving complaints of excessive or deadly force among other things. But he says committee members rarely showed up and never discussed serious issues.
"There was much more of an emphasis on what I call the three P's. There were more concerns discussing when the Christmas party with the Chief would be, photographs with the Chief and the amount of reserved parking."
