Citizen Group Seeks Oversight of Fullerton PD
On Wed., July 11 at 6:30 p.m. the
Police Oversight Proposal Committee will deliver a presentation on methods of
police oversight. The citizen group, comprised of roughly half a dozen local
residents, formed last November in the aftermath of the Kelly Thomas beating.
The group seeks to develop civilian oversight of the Fullerton Police
Department, long perceived by many to be unaccountable to the public.
Wednesday's free event will be held at the Fullerton Public Library and will be
facilitated by Cal State Fullerton Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Jarret Lovell.
"We got to
the point where we realized what we needed is more information on how other
cities are doing this," said Committee member Matt Leslie, 48.
"Jarret had some insight into (other) cities that had effective
commissions."
Maria Hernandez-Figueroa and
Eduardo Calderon, both students in CSUF's masters of public administration
program are slated to present their findings on civilian oversight of law
enforcement agencies.
According to Leslie, Acting
Police Chief Dan Hughes has indicated he will attend the presentation.
"I can't tell you how (FPD)
is going to receive this, but Capt. Dan Hughes has been very welcoming,"
Leslie said.
According to a press release,
analysis will cover different forms of police oversight as well as increasing
transparency and "counteracting institutional conditions that lead to
abuse."