Oversight of Law Enforcement in Westchester County

We, the voters and taxpayers of Westchester, are requesting a Civilian Law Enforcement Advisory Board. The Westchester Law Enforcement Advisory Board will be an independent civilian agency. The board members will be appointed in a manner similar to the Westchester County Human Rights Commission. The board will be structured with private citizens serving alongside non-uniformed, retired law enforcement officers. Specific legislation that will be passed by the county legislators will empower the board to receive, investigate, hear, make findings along with the law enforcement agency in question, and recommend action on complaints against Law Enforcement agencies within Westchester’s jurisdiction. The questionable actions reviewed by this commission may include: the alleged use of excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, misconduct, or the use of offensive language. The board will review current policies to examine the causes of individual complaints, and send recommendations to the police department for changes in policy or training. The policy review process is designed to prevent abuses of citizens and complaints from occurring in the future.