Right now, we have an opportunity to create real, organized, and systemic change in Tampa.
On Thursday, February 25, the Tampa City Council is considering important proposals for a citizen review board. We need to make our voices heard on these critical proposals so our community has a meaningful voice regarding policing transparency and accountability.
More than 100 jurisdictions across the country have some type of civilian oversight commission or board, but very few communities feel that they have true control over their police departments.
We are asking that supporters of police accountability make your voice heard in support of the proposed citizen review board changes including:
- Reducing the number of Mayoral appointments to the CRB
- Making the CRB attorney independent instead of discretionary
- Adding subpoena power for members who are not law enforcement
- Adding a provision that lets the CRB investigate a matter with a 50 percent vote of the CRB, that would not be limited only to matters where “certain discipline” is involved
- Limiting the number of former law enforcement that participate in the CRB
You can make your voice heard on these proposals a few different ways, including in-person, by email, phone or through virtual testimony. To make your voice heard, visit the Tampa City Council website for instructions on submitting your testimony and comments.
All written or voicemail comments must be received no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting in order to be distributed timely to City Council members and made part of the record. Registration for speaking remotely must be requested at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
The public and citizens of the City of Tampa will be able to watch, listen or view this meeting on:
- Cable TV: Spectrum Channel 640
- Frontier Channel 15
- Internet: https://www.tampa.gov/livestream
Members of the public will be able to virtually participate in this public meeting by using what is referred to by State of Florida statutes and rules as “communications media technology” (“CMT”) or by the following alternative methods:
- Send written comments by internet or web at https://www.tampa.gov/PublicComment
- Send written comments by email to TampaCityCouncil@tampagov.net
- Send written comments by US Mail to City of Tampa City Clerk, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., 3rd Floor, Tampa, FL 33602.
- Leave a voicemail message with your comments by calling (813) 274-8877. Please follow the prompts when you call. Prerecorded comments are not taken for matters set for public hearings.
- Speak remotely during public comment with the use of CMT: Complete the form at https://www.tampa.gov/city-council-meeting-public-comment-form AND state on the form under “Request Type” that you wish to speak live during the public comment period. You will then be contacted with additional instructions on how to participate live through the use of CMT.
- Participate by using CMT available at Old City Hall: Those individuals, who do not have access to a communications media device, have the option of participating via communications media technology, which will be made available to the public by the City of Tampa, during the hybrid live/virtual meeting, at:
Old City Hall
315 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 (2nd Floor)
PLEASE NOTE: Use of masks and social distancing inside the building are required. All written or voicemail comments must be received no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting in order to be distributed timely to City Council members and made part of the record. Registration for speaking remotely must be requested at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Public comments, prerecorded, and remote or in-person using CMT, will be heard at the start of the meeting at the direction of the City Council. Written comments received by mail or email will be distributed to the City Council, and will also be included in the permanent record of the meeting. All public comments timely received by mail, email, voicemail or via CMT will be afforded equal consideration as if the public comments were made in person. Persons requiring help in accessing this means of public participation should call 813-274-8397 for assistance.
For additional information, please contact City Council Attorney Martin Shelby at Martin.Shelby@tampa.gov or 813-274-8869.
