THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON WHETHER THE POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD SHOULD BE EXPANDED. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS THE EXPANSION WOULD GIVE THE BOARD SUBPOENA POWERS.
IT’S BEEN 4-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE THE OVERSIGHT BOARD WAS FORMED IN ALBUQUERQUE, MAINLY DUE TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS ABOUT OFFICERS USING EXCESSIVE FORCE AND APD’S PROBLEMS AT THE TIME. THE EXPANSION WOULD ALSO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE BOARD TO CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT AGENCY. THE COUNCIL’S AMENDMENTS COULD ALSO IMPROVE THE DEFINITION OF THE BOARD’S ABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND HELP THOSE LINE UP WITH THE COURT APPROVED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THE CITY AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SIGNED.
