Key Observations
- Citizen review boards offer transparency and accountability currently lacking in many police agencies and can improve trust between law enforcement and communities.
- There are approximately 150 civilian review boards affiliated with large police departments in the U.S.
- 40% of civilian oversight boards have the authority to subpoena witnesses, and about 50% have the authority to subpoena records.
- Remediation of the “reasonable doubt” standard is essential to achieve actionable oversight powers grounded in all areas of police oversight.
