Ferguson, MO – September 19th, 2014 – The City of Ferguson announced today that it has engaged the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).  NACOLE is a non-profit organization of law enforcement oversight agencies and practitioners that works to enhance police transparency and accountability and build community trust through civilian oversight.

City representatives met with NACOLE to discuss ways to ensure that the new citizen oversight process being considered in the city is open, inclusive, and leads to an oversight structure that reflects the needs of the community.

“The decision to engage with NACOLE will help ensure greater participation from our community members,” says Mayor of Ferguson James Knowles.  “We’re committed to enhancing citizen oversight and continuing to build trust between residents and our police department.  By bringing in NACOLE to the process and utilizing its resources and available network of experts in citizen oversight, we hope to develop a system that can be effective and work for everyone.

The City Council has introduced legislation to establish a Citizen Review Board, which will work in conjunction with the Ferguson Police Department.  This Board will be made up of community residents who are not involved in local government.  The Board will work closely with the City’s administration, the Police Chief, and the community in advising and reviewing operations and actions of the Police Department.

“We commend Ferguson’s City Council for taking concrete steps toward ensuring that the City of Ferguson provides constitutional, effective, accountable policing for all residents of Ferguson,” says NACOLE President Brian Buchner.  “We are committed to making our training resources, in areas such as conducting investigations and audits, risk management, and analyzing police-involved incidents, available to support the new citizen review board as it prepares to fulfill its duties.”

“By working together, we can develop the best oversight model for the City of Ferguson,” he adds.

For more information about NACOLE and civilian oversight of law enforcement, please visit http://www.nacole.org/

Attached Photo: L-R: Devin James, Founder/CEO of the Devin James Group; Ferguson Mayor Knowles, NACOLE VP, Brian Corr; Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson; and NACOLE President, Brian Buchner. Photocredit: Devin James Group

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Media Contact:

Devin James (636) 748-7455

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