The Place for Jersey City News
Log In / Register
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Jersey City Times
  • News
  • Food and Fun
    • Food And Drink
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Other Fun Stuff
  • Education
  • Business
  • Neighborhoods
    • Downtown
      • News
      • Guide
    • Heights
      • News
      • Guide
    • Journal Square
      • News
      • Guide
    • Bergen Lafayette
      • News
      • Guide
    • Greenville
      • News
      • Guide
    • Westside
      • News
      • Guide
  • Opinion
  • Columns
    • Eye Level
    • Mamarama
  • Obituaries
  • Event Calendar
  • Support our Mission
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Ridley and Solomon to Introduce CCRB Ordinance

Ridley and Solomon to Introduce CCRB Ordinance

Aaron Morrill
February 18, 2021/in header, Latest News, News
by Aaron Morrill

Council members Denise Ridley and James Solomon will jointly introduce an ordinance to form a Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) at the City Council meeting on February 24th.

The purpose of a CCRB is to investigate allegations of police misconduct.

Calls for a CCRB grew louder following a May, 2020 melee between police and civilians on Bostwick Avenue. In that case, the Hudson County prosecutor cleared the police of wrongdoing over the objections of neighborhood activists who claimed that the police had used excessive force.

If passed by the City Council, the CCRB would go into effect only after the New Jersey Legislature passes legislation drafted by Assemblywoman Angela McKnight.

Currently, New Jersey law does not permit a CCRB to issue subpoenas, which advocates consider crucial to the CCRB’s fact finding function. McKnight’s legislation would grant CCRBs subpoena power.

In August, the New Jersey Supreme Court struck down Newark’s CCRB. Newark has appealed that decision to the United States Supreme Court. Last month, the city council voted to file a “friend of the court” brief supporting Newark’s position.

If enacted, Jersey City’s CCRB would be made up of 11 members; five from community organizations, the three at-large city council members and a representative from each ward.

The board would make recommendations to the Director of Public Safety who, in turn, would have to explain any discipline decision that differs from the CCRB’s recommendation.

New York City — which has had a CCRB since 1953 — has had mixed success. In November, The New York Times found that the police department “regularly ignored the board’s recommendations, overruled them or downgraded the punishments.”

Councilwoman Ridley is undeterred: “I believe that government works best when it is responsive to the requests of residents. The City is actively taking steps to better the relationship between our police department and the community. A CCRB is a step that gives both civilians and police an additional avenue to address complaints in a transparent way. Establishing the groundwork for a CCRB in Jersey City shows that we are committed to growing and improving systems in an effort to increase communication and trust.”

Councilman Solomon added, “On the heels of the appointment of Jersey City’s first civilian Police Director, a strong, independent CCRB would guarantee the accountability and transparency Jersey City residents rightfully ask from their police department. Instead of the police investigating the police, trusted community members will provide impartial review of allegations of impropriety and release the findings of their investigations, building trust between our officers and the community.”

“I commend Councilwoman Ridley and Councilman Solomon and all of the stakeholders in Jersey City who are pushing forward for a civilian review board in our community,” says Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Hudson County). “I am pleased to advocate at the state level on behalf of them, and all of the other leaders of municipalities throughout the state who have remained committed to having a CCRB. We must pass legislation that ensures that these local governing bodies have a framework in place that will truly increase transparency and accountability between law enforcement agencies and the people they serve.”

 

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
Jersey City, US
11:40 am, July 6, 2022
83°F
broken clouds
Wind: 18 mph
Pressure: 1010 mb

Latest Articles

Bergen Arches Jersey City
July 06, 2022 /

City to Receive 100k for Bergen Arches Feasibility Study

Crime Scene Tape
July 06, 2022 /

West Side Stabbings Leave One Dead and Another Injured

Crime Scene Tape
July 05, 2022 /

Gunshots Punctuate Fourth of July and Leave One Man Wounded

Jersey City Police Car
July 05, 2022 /

Jersey City Man Sentenced in 2020 Killing

Christopher Columbus Drive Jersey City
July 04, 2022 /

Downtown Streets Gridlocked by Fireworks Traffic

CONTACT US

    ADS/INFO

    For information on advertising opportunities, please contact - ads@jcitytimes.com

    For information on writing opportunities, please contact - info@jcitytimes.com

    Download our media kit here

    ABOUT US

    About Jersey City Times

    Contact Jersey City Times

    Social

    Archives

    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    Copyright © 2020 JCityTimes.com. All Rights Reserved - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
    Hudnut to Take on Solomon in Ward E Shakespeare@ Home Presents “Julius Caesar”
    Scroll to top