The Charles County Commissioners have again taken up the task of discussing a Citizens Oversight Review Board for the sheriff’s office. At their June 21 meeting, the commissioners discussed the specifics of such a task force.
Commissioner Debra Davis (D: 2nd) suggested getting rid of the word oversight in the name.
Davis also discussed the majority of government-level representation on the board and suggested adding more citizens to bring them in the majority. Commissioner Vice President Reuben Collins, II (D: 3rd) agreed with the change and added having more government agencies takes away from the autonomy to address residents’ concerns on any given issue.
Commissioner Bobby Rucci (D: 4th) countered that he has not seen any hard evidence that a task force is needed at all in Charles County. Commissioner Ken Robinson (D: 1st) commented that this task force is only to decide if a Police Oversight Review Board is necessary.
Commissioner’s President Candice Quinn Kelly (D) read from the original directive and reminded the board that this is a task force to determine if there is a need for an oversight board and if so what it will look like.
The board eventually agreed that the task force would consist of representatives from the states attorney’s office, county attorney’s office, sheriff’s office, Fraternal Order of the Police, NAACP and six citizens appointed by the county commissioners.
Once the task force is established, the members will have 90 days to conduct research, gauge public concern about public safety and get a response back to the county commissioners. They expect to have a decision back by November 2011.
This has been a hot button issue in Charles County and among the county commissioners. The Charles County NAACP has been requesting a civilian police review board for a number of years. They argue the need for one was amplified in 2009 when father of seven, Cornelius Warren was pulled over for speeding
