By Tamara Orange, ACRB Board Member & Interim Chair
Do you want to know what is happening with officer accountability in Atlanta? Do you want to know how the ACRB addresses citizens’ complaints against Atlanta police and corrections officers? I invite and STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to visit the ACRB monthly board meeting where the board discusses citizens’ complaints against Atlanta police and corrections officers. The board meeting provides the rare opportunity to witness the process of officer accountability, which is often shielded from the public view. Only through attending an ACRB board meeting can citizens learn about citizen complaint investigations against an Atlanta police or corrections officers and how decisions are made regarding the complaint allegations.
During the board meeting, you will have a front row view of your citizen board discussing the investigative evidence and making decisions on the officers’ actions, behaviors, and comments. You will hear the complaint allegations and policies and procedures that may have been violated, and listen to board members, who are citizens like you, weigh the evidence. You will witness the fair and thoughtful consideration of the evidence.
The ACRB was created to address citizen concerns about the handling of complaints against officers with the goal of building trust in the city’s efforts to hold officers accountable. It was specifically designed so citizens could be involved in the process of officer accountability and witness the process working.
With the work of the ACRB being so important, an integral part of our effectiveness is YOU, THE CITZEN. The more you utilize the services the ACRB provides, the more we can serve as an example of a cohesive relationship between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. One way you can show your interest in ensuring a better community for us all, is by attending an ACRB meeting. Our meetings are open to the public. The meetings are the second Thursday of every month in City Hall. We would love to see you at our next meeting.