Police oversight boards, also known as civilian oversight boards, have been implemented to improve community trust in police. But law enforcement officers and union officials are appropriately skeptical of untrained, under-resourced oversight boards.
Oversight boards date back to the early 1900s. They were initially created to try to eliminate undue political pressure on police, but it failed.
In the 1960s, inspired by challenges of the Civil Rights Era, oversight boards had more longevity. Since then, there has been an expansion of oversight boards from less than 40 in the 1980s to over 100 oversight boards across the US by 2000.
Some have past law enforcement or criminal justice experience
Others have some connection to law enforcement but no direct experience.
Many have no previous connection to law enforcement
Inconsistent discipline
Lack impartiality
Excessive taxpayer costs
Lack law enforcement representation
