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	Community Ombudsmen Oversight Panel Announces First Annual Report Results
8/20/2008 - Released by Mayor's Office
For more information contact Press Office at 617.635.4461
Report Highlights CO-OP Benefits and Recommendations The Community Ombudsmen Oversight Panel (CO-OP) today announced the release of its first annual report. The report follows an executive order issued by Mayor Thomas M. Menino last March to establish an oversight panel for the Boston Police Department to guarantee a thorough and impartial review of complaints that the department receives. The first annual CO-OP report provides an overview of the history and purpose of the Panel, including the relevant aspects of Mayor’s Menino’s Executive Order which created the Panel. The report also describes the community outreach activities of CO-OP members since its inception and the extensive training that the Panel received. “The Boston Police Department has a lot to be proud of; yet there are important changes that need to be made in the investigation of complaints and in regard to the training of police," CO-OP members said in a group statement. “The first annual report represents the culmination of more than a year of extensive training, community outreach, and review of cases. We have developed a productive working relationship with the Internal Affairs Division of the Boston Police Department, and significant improvements have already occurred as a result of our work. We look forward to seeing the implementation of our other recommendations.” The board members, appointed by Mayor Menino, are David Hall, Chair of the Panel and former Dean and now professor at Northeastern University School of Law; John F. O’Brien, Dean of New England School of Law; and Ruth Suber, a former member of the parole board who served in that position for 12 years. Under Mayor Menino’s executive order ombudsmen, are selected because of their extensive knowledge and experience in law enforcement, the criminal justice system and/or the judicial process. Since February 2008, CO-OP members have conducted outreach presentations with twenty-five community organizations to explain their mission and to hear concerns and suggestions from residents of Boston. An important theme of the report is the creation of a culture of transparency. In reaching out to the community, the Panel emphasized that it is extremely important that the public is aware of the process of filing complaints and the rules and procedures that govern the Internal Affairs Department (IAD) of the Police Department. The report is also intended to be an objective assessment of the number, type, and results of citizen complaints. “I would like to commend the CO-OP Panel for their extensive efforts put into producing an annual report complete with valuable insight and helpful recommendations,” Police Commissioner Ed Davis stated. “Their external oversight has contributed to improvements in our Internal Affairs process, and I look forward to continued positive changes.” “This report will be extremely useful for both internal and external purposes,” Mayor Menino said. “My hope is that residents will see this report as another means of fostering trust and confidence with the Police Department within the community. Internally, CO-OP has been successful in carrying out its mission to inform the department of any shortcomings when it comes to handling community concerns in a fair, thorough, and efficient manner.” The report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of IAD data for 2007 and portions of 2008. Charts and graphs reveal trends in regard to the number, type and resolution of complaints against Boston Police personnel. Overall the Panel’s findings were positive. The Panel reviewed 14 cases from 2007. Of those 14 cases reviewed, 11 were deemed to be fair and thorough. The Panel raised concerns in regard to the 3 cases that were deemed not fair and thorough and even in some cases that were deemed to be fair and thorough. The report also provides data for a portion of 2008. The trends for 2008 are very similar to those of 2007 with a few minor fluctuations. The report’s other primary component involved recommendations of the Panel in regard to the policies and practices of IAD. The following represent some of the major recommendations: All conclusions contained in an investigative report should be substantiated by facts obtained during the investigation. There should be a more serious and concerted attempt to follow-up with witnesses or complaining parties when there is no response to notices that are sent to them. This follow-up should include a visit to the home if necessary. A statement of the reason for not sustaining a complaint should be provided to the complainant in the final letter they receive from the Superintendent. Complaint forms should be made available at locations other than a police station. Serious consideration should be given to the complaint form being translated into languages other than English. These observations and recommendations were shared with the Commander of IAD, and many of them have already been accepted and implemented.

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