A watchdog committee for Bluffton police is way behind schedule. Why?
Nearly six months after it was supposed to begin work advising the Bluffton Police Department on public safety issues and reviewing “critical incidents,” a citizens advisory committee has still not been created.
The delay comes at a time when a national conversation is underway about police brutality, the use of force and citizen oversight of police.
Bluffton leaders point to the onset of COVID-19 and the departure of Bluffton Police Chief Christopher Chapmond in explaining the delay in getting the committee up and running.
The five to 12-member panel will be appointed by the Town Council. Its objectives include flagging community needs regarding public safety and reviewing “critical incidents” and police policy, according to the January charter of the committee.
Asked why the panel had not yet been formed, Bluffton town manager Marc Orlando acknowledged delays, but stressed that forming a citizen oversight group is “not an overnight process.” He said the town is still looking for qualified applicants.
“It was a goal,” Orlando said of plans to form the group by January. “We’ve had a lot go on between now and the last six months. The council has addressed this several times,” he said.
“I did have a chief of police leave. I have to prioritize and accomplish what it is the council’s asking me to do,” he said.
Orlando said putting the committee in place is “one of the highest priorities,” and that the Town Council is currently vetting candidates.
The committee could begin work as early as August if the Town Council finds the right group of candidates and panel members can vote to elect a leader, he said.
Mayor Lisa Sulka said the town is looking for “a good cross section of our town in every way.”
“I would love to see as much diversity as possible when it comes to the type (of) career our applicants have,” said Sulka.
Bluffton residents can apply until the council makes appointments, and 22 people have already done so, according to town clerk Kim Chapman.
The panel’s meetings will be public. The agenda will mainly be set by the committee, with input from the police department, according to Orlando.
Since Chapmond has left to head his former department in Hot Springs, Ark., it will be up to Acting Chief Scott Chandler to oversee the beginning of the committee.
“We’ll give them our input of what we’re doing,” said Chandler. “They’ll give us the voice of the community.”
The background
In July 2019, the police department published a plan to improve policing. One of the goals was establishing the citizens advisory committee by January 2020.
The idea was initially brought before Town Council in October 2019. Its rules were drafted and adopted nearly three months later.
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The new panel replaces a defunct 2013 Bluffton committee, which was a liaison between the public and first responders and “existed to facilitate a free flow of ideas and discussions to improve the safety of all citizens,” according to an October presentation by Chapmond.
According to its charter, the new committee’s functions are:
- Giving community feedback on “police services”
- Communicating public safety needs
Participating in after-action review of critical incidents involving citizens and visitors”
Helping with community events put on by Bluffton police
Educating the public regarding police “policy, procedures and best practices,” along with “community disaster preparedness responsibilities”
‘Community confidence’
Such advisory committees are being formed all over the country as a means to increase accountability and transparency in the wake of George Floyd’s death after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
The groups “can greatly enhance community confidence in a law enforcement agency; members of the public are empowered to hear cases and weigh in on policy recommendations,” according to a Pace Law Review report on civilian oversight of police from 2010.
“One powerful aspect of boards and commissions is that historically they have conducted their hearings and business in public, providing transparency and accountability,” the report said.
The Pace report said a major challenge of such groups is making sure qualified members of the public sit on the committee and that its recommendations are actually followed by police.
Chandler said he plans to see help realize Chapmond’s vision of community policing through the citizens advisory committee.
“’I’ll take the mantle of where he left off,” said Chandler, “Make sure the advisory board gets formed, that we’re out in the community.”
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 12:50 PM.
