Nutter Creates Panel To Help Tackle Recommendations Contained In US Dept. Of Justice Report On Police
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Nutter has followed through on an Executive Order and named members of an independent civilian oversight board to advance efforts to 'create a more responsive' police department that 'earns the public's respect.'
The 24-members include three city council members, civil rights, community, religious, education and law enforcement leaders - with no direct ties to the Philadelphia Police Department.
The panel will tackle more than 90-recommendations contained in a U.S. Department of Justice report on the Philadelphia Police Department's use of force policies.
Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP President Rodney Muhammed is a consistent critic of Stop and Frisk and racial profiling.
"It makes our community feel like one that is being held hostage, and it does feel rather than the friendly policemen kind of model, there's an occupy force in the community."
Edwin Desamour is Executive Director of Men in Motion in the Community, which helps at risk young people in West Kensington.
"We need our police to be safe and our youth to be safe. We just need a good family vibe between all of us.'
Another member, Kelvyn Anderson, says the scope of their task is considerably wider than his work as Executive Director of the Police Advisory Commission, which handles cases of alleged police misconduct.
"Philadelphians have a very complicated and nuanced attitude about our police department. Certainly there is mistrust, but we have a lot of fantastic officers in this city, and people recognize that in even the most challenged neighborhoods.'
Rich Costello of the FOP, the union representing police officers, also has a seat on the oversight panel.
