George Lippman

Berkeley’s Police Accountability Board, or PAB, elected its chairperson and vice-chairperson and heard reports regarding hiring struggles for staff dispatchers, early warning system updates and a response to Tyre Nichols' death at the hands of Memphis police at its regular meeting Tuesday.

At its meeting Wednesday, the Berkeley Police Review Commission, or PRC, revised requirements for controlled equipment reports and elected outreach committee members and commission chairs.

In its first meeting of the year Wednesday, the Berkeley Police Review Commission, or PRC, discussed upcoming changes to law enforcement oversight in 2021, including its transition to the Police Accountability Board, or PAB.

After multiple years of activism, a police accountability measure will be on the November 2020 ballot. If passed, the measure would amend the city charter and establish a police accountability board

Efforts to restore some of the commission's original power have been ongoing, as city officials and local activists examine civilian oversight agencies in neighboring Bay Area jurisdictions to see which models might best suit Berkeley.

On Wednesday, the Berkeley Police Review Commission, or PRC, met at the South Berkeley Senior Center for its bimonthly meeting to discuss issues including body-worn cameras, intercommittee and department guidelines, police officers’ use of force and the Berkeley Police Department’s new contract with Epic Recruiting.

City Councilmember Cheryl Davila appointed campus Near Eastern studies and Asian American studies lecturer Hatem Bazian — who has faced controversy in the past — to the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission.

Berkeley City Council unanimously voted to create a task force that will address racial disparities suggested in data on the Berkeley Police Department.

On April 2, Skinner introduced SB 1421, subtitled "Peace Officers: release of records." If passed, the bill will require law enforcement to disclose all information regarding discharge of a firearm, force that results in death and injury, sexual assault on the job and dishonesty in reporting, investigating and prosecuting a crime.

Proposed by Berkeley Community United for Police Oversight the measure would abolish the Police Review Commission and create a new police commission, which would be composed of a group of 10 citizens who would oversee the Berkeley Police Department.