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Pittsburgh has been “well served” by its Citizen Police Review Board but could use more funding and outreach, City Controller Michael Lamb said after releasing an audit of its operations Wednesday.
After the board was established by a 1997 voter referendum, he said, “there was significant hostility between the review board and the police bureau. But over time, crediting both the police and . the board members, we ve got a situation now where we have much greater cooperation. … And that’s been great for Pittsburgh.”
The board receives and investigates complaints about police misconduct, carrying out investigations and public hearings where it deems warranted. During the administration of Mayor Bill Peduto, it has processed about 600 complaints a year, a slight but noticeable decline from years before.
Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board gets good marks in audit Share Updated: 7:15 PM EDT May 12, 2021 Share Updated: 7:15 PM EDT May 12, 2021
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Show Transcript CITY CONTROLLER IS SAYING ABOUT THAT AUDIT. REPORTER: THIS FIRST EVER PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF PITTSBURGH’S POLICE REVIEW BOARD , THE CITY CONTROLLER GIVES THEM GOOD MARKS. WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HAS BEEN WELL SERVED BY THE CITIZEN POLICE REVIEW BOARD. REPORTER: ON ACCESS TO PITTSBURGH POLICE BODYCAM. , HE IS RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL CODIFY RULES FOR CONSISTENT ACCESS TO THAT VIDEO. REGARDLESS OF WHO THE CHIEF OF POLICE IS AND REGARDLESS OF WHO THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE MAYOR ARE, WE WANT SOLID, OPEN RECORD RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT FOOTAGE AND TIMELINESS OF THAT FOOTAGE. REPORTER: HE BELIEVES THEY SHOULD ALSO ADDRESS OPEN ACCESS TO POLICE CAN VIDEO FOR THE PUBLIC. PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO THIS INFORMATION. WE OWN IT, WE PAY FOR IT, WE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS
Pittsburgh City Council delayed action for months on a parks tax that was approved by voters in 2019. But it took less than five minutes to approve when