TAMPA, Fla. — Members with the ACLU and NAACP continue their push for more involvement with Tampa's Citizens Review Board.
The board was created in 2015 and consists of 11 voluntary members appointed by the mayor and council members. The objective of the panelists is to give a second, outside view of disciplinary actions within the Tampa Police Department.
According to the city the following members have been on the board, are currently serving or serve as an alternate:
- Lee Lowry - Alternate member
- Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks - Active
- Darryl J. Reyes - Active
- Rasheed Ali Aquil - Active
- Dr. Carolyn L. Hepburn-Collins - Active
- Steven D. Blair - Inactive
- Bemetra L. Simmons - Active
- Irene C. Guy - Active
- Lincoln J. Tamayo - Active
- Devon J. Ingandela - Inactive
Members with CRB can review disciplinary actions within the department and give their recommendations that have the potential to lead to a policy change, but they can only review the cases once they are closed by TPD.
That's something Hillsborough County NAACP President Yvette Lewis takes issue with.
"It has no power. There's no accountability. No subpoena power. So, nobody listens to it. They only come in after the investigation is done and complete and nobody has to report to it," Lewis said. "We are asking for true people from the community that knows the community and has a community voice and let's put someone from law enforcement on there. Let's all revamp it and work it together."
Currently, a person who works for the city isn't permitted to serve on the board.
Lewis said she spoke with Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan about restructuring CRB and said he was open to the discussion.
Members with CRB are meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss use of force, the outcome of the protests in the city following the death of George Floyd, and next month's meeting which is expected to bring involve discussions involving police reform including hiring and training.
