Safety committee discusses creation of review board for Youngstown Police Department

YOUNGSTOWN — City council discussed the creation of an external civilian review board for the Youngstown Police Department during Thursday’s safety committee meeting.

A civilian review board is separate from a police department’s internal affairs division and consists of citizens outside the department. The board would review complaints about police officers on duty and make recommendations that are referred to the police chief and the mayor.

YPD Chief Carl Davis said although he currently does not have much information about review boards, he is receptive to the idea of creating one for YPD.

He said the department was close to establishing a review board in the late 1980s, but it never materialized.

“I am very open and receptive to the idea and have no problems with revisiting that,” Davis said.

Councilwoman Anita Davis, 6th Ward, said the review board is not something she wants to see happen in a year or two. She said she sees it being created in the next few months.

“There is no reason to delay it,” she said. “This is something that has been way overdue.”

Councilwoman Davis plans to meet with Chief Davis and Lt. Brian Butler to discuss ideas and research to establish the board. She said city council members, city council President DeMaine Kitchen and Mayor Jamael Tito Brown should also ask community members for their input on the board.

“We need input from the residents of Youngstown, Ohio, on this topic,” Councilwoman Davis said.

Councilman Julius Oliver, 1st Ward, said he supports the creation of the board and that Youngstown residents support it as well.

“I think residents all across the city are calling for this right now, especially given the current climate of the country,” Oliver said.

Councilwoman Samantha Turner, 3rd Ward, said she also supports the creation of the review board. Turner agreed with Councilwoman Davis that the board is something that needs to be established in the next couple of months.

“This helps the citizens know that we are listening and we understand,” Turner said. “It’s time for us to get it done.”

This story was originally published February 26, 2021 at 4:55 AM with the headline "Safety committee discusses creation of review board for Youngstown Police Department."