Community Review Board Issues First Annual Report

The University’s Community Review Board (CRB), an independent and cross-functional campus group that reviews and provides input on certain matters involving the Department of Public Safety (DPS), released its inaugural annual report of findings and conclusions to the community this week.

The report, available on the CRB webpage [PDF], outlines its progress in three areas:

1. Review of appeals of dispositions of civilian complaints against DPS employees;
2. Review of DPS standard operating procedures (SOPs), trainings and key community-facing functions; and
3. CRB composition and overview.

“We would like to thank all of those who engage with and support our work to ensure effective, transparent and equitable public safety,” says CRB Chair and law student Brianna Sclafani. “The CRB looks forward to continuing to serve the entire University community in the next academic year.”

Some highlights of the CRB’s work in 2021-22 include:

• Creating a webpage, online form for appeal submissions and dedicated email account to liaise with the University community;
• Formalizing processes and procedures related to civilian complaints and developing a confidentiality and conflict of interest policy for all CRB members;
• Providing input on the new interview and selection process for new DPS Chief Craig Stone; and
• Hosting its Annual Forum in April, an opportunity for all members of the campus community to engage with the CRB and have their voices heard.

The CRB was created following an independent review of DPS by former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in spring 2021 and consists of 11 members: three undergraduate students, one graduate student, one law student, two faculty members, two staff members and two administrators. To learn more or to connect with members of the CRB, visit its webpage or email CRB@syr.edu.