Phila. Police Watchdog Group Set to Convene
A recently appointed Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission will hold its first meeting next week.
KYW's Steve Tawa reports that the group will act as a civilian oversight for the Philadelphia Police Department.
Mayor Nutter appointed the first members of the reconstituted commission last spring, and now has selected the remaining members from a list of nominees presented to him by City Council.
Its 15 members and four "alternates" come from a wide range of backgrounds.
Jamira Burley (top right), a student at Temple University and a member of its student government, lost a brother and two stepfathers to violence. She feels she will bring a "youth perspective to the table."
Another member, Jim Crumlish (bottom right), is a former city lawyer now in private practice at the Elliott Greenleaf law firm. Crumlish says he believes in "fundamental fairness for citizens and cops," whom he says "are doing a tough job."
City councilwoman Donna Reed Miller will introduce legislation that would place the commission in the city charter. Voters would have to approve -- perhaps on the May 2011 ballot.
(Photos provided)