Community Review Board Issues Annual Report to University Community

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 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.

“As I step down after graduation in the coming weeks, I know the work that the board has done over the last two years has been critical to ensure effective, transparent and equitable public safety,” says CRB chair and law student Brianna Sclafani. “Thank you to all those who engaged with us during my time in this role, and I encourage as many as possible to engage with the important work of the CRB going forward.”

Some highlights of the CRB’s work during the 2022-23 academic year include:

• Reviewed and held University forum to solicit input on proposed recommendations for SOPs, including:
  • Arrest, detention and transportation of arrestees
  • Exculpatory evidence
• Reviewed and made recommendations regarding Police Research Forum training aimed at defusing critical incidents.
• Held a hearing regarding Internal Affairs Complaint Appeal and made recommendations to the Chancellor.
• Proposed bylaw amendments to better align CRB board terms with the academic calendar.

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.