Councilman Wants Changes To Commission That Studies Police Misconduct Allegations
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia Councilman introduced Thursday what could prove to be a controversial plan. The idea is to beef up the commission that studies accusations of police misconduct.
Fourth District Councilman Curtis Jones wants two big changes to the nearly 20-year old police advisory commission.
First, he wants it made permanent and independent through a change to the city charter. Second, he wants the staffing beefed up so the commission's investigations of misconduct are completed faster.
"The processing time -- both for those accusing the officers and the officers accused -- needs work. Who wants to live under the shadow of an accusation if it is false?" Jones said.
Jones' plan will be debated in committee, and the local Fraternal Order of Police is expected to fight it tooth and nail.
FOP chief John McNesby says the advisory commission "serves no purpose."
The commission was established in 1994 by executive order of then-mayor Ed Rendell to study citizen's complaints about police actions.
