Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee

1. Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee Sheriff Jerry L. Demings

2. Presentation Outline • A brief history of community review in Orange County • The establishment of a new advisory body • What I want to achieve • The importance of your participation • Action I am requesting from the Board of County Commissioners

3. A brief history of citizen review in Orange County

4. Review began in 1991 with the establishment of the Sheriff’s Independent Citizen’s Review Board by Sheriff Walt Gallagher.

5. It was started in response to citizens’ desire for more oversight in the actions of the Sheriff’s Office.

6. The primary citizen concerns were official misconduct and excessive force.

7. This Board functioned as advisory to the Sheriff until it was replaced by the Citizen Review Board created by Charter amendment in 1995.

8. Problems with the previous Board • It infringed on the powers of the Sheriff as a constitutional officer • It was in conflict with the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights

9. In May, 2009, the Citizen Review Board was found to be unconstitutional by the 5th District Court of Appeals and abolished.

10. What I want to achieve

11. The absence of citizen review has left a void that needs to be filled.

12. I need community input to ensure we are providing the level of service that our citizens deserve.

13. To meet this need, I am establishing a Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

14. I am proposing the Committee include nine members • One nomination by the Mayor and each Commissioner • One nomination from the Central Florida Police Benevolent Association • And, a Chairperson appointed by the Sheriff

15. This new advisory committee will provide me with valuable input on how the Sheriff’s Office affects the community.

16. What will the new advisory committee do? • Provide a public forum for constructive dialogue between citizens and the Sheriff’s Office • Study relevant policies and procedures and provide recommendations for positive change, with specific emphasis on areas of official misconduct and excessive force

17. The committee will respond to questions from: • The public • The Sheriff • The Board of County Commissioners • The Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee membership

18. The committee will: • Review cases and events that offer opportunities for learning and constructive change • Review and assess policies and procedures and make recommendations regarding their relevance, effectiveness and appropriateness.

19. The committee will: • Have complete access to the expertise of Sheriff’s Office staff • Have the ability to call upon others who have specialized knowledge or experience related to the issues in question

20. Compel attendance or participation from deputies Conduct independent investigations Take action in conflict with the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights or other statutes and regulations The committee will not:

21. The importance of your participation

22. Through your nominations, each of you will have a voice in the development of policies and guidelines that may concern you and your constituents.

23. I believe a group of citizens that is representative of the community we serve will allow me to respond more quickly and positively to questions about the actions of the Sheriff’s Office and to make changes when appropriate.

24. I am requesting that each of you nominate an Orange County citizen who represents the unique characteristics of each Commission District and Orange County as whole.

25. Board Action Requested Express your desire to participate by your individual nominations of candidates for membership in the Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee.