Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2020-522 directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, October, 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of the Governmental Center to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows (deferred from September 10, 2020 - Item No. 55):
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, CREATING A POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW BOARD; CREATING SECTION 18-7 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”); AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Mayor Dale V.C. Holness)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Office of the County Attorney based on action taken by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of June 16, 2020.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting the Ordinance.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Board Goal to “Collaborate with public and private partners to find creative, equitable, and responsible solutions to systemic community problems.”
On June 16, 2020, the Board directed the Office of the County Attorney to study the legal feasibility of establishing a civilian board to review allegations of police misconduct and use of force. Florida statutes and case law provide for internal review of alleged police misconduct by the officer’s employer. However, a County board may review completed police disciplinary investigations and other information for purposes other than officer discipline-such as to increase transparency or to encourage better policing policies. The proposed Ordinance would create a Broward County Police and Criminal Justice Review Board that would gather data on police use of force and alleged misconduct, publish data and reports, identify issues that could be addressed through policy changes, and make recommendations. The Police and Criminal Justice Review Board could also study other issues related to bias in the criminal justice system in Broward County.
At its September 10, 2020, meeting, the Board deferred action on this item until October 6, 2020. Several commissioners have asked for amendments, which will be distributed as additional material either in connection with the October 6 item or the later public hearing item.
Source of Additional Information
Adam Katzman, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.