City Of Birmingham: Civilian Review Board To Hold Community Listening Sessions Starting Aug. 31

From the City of Birmingham:

July 30, 2021

Birmingham’s Civilian Review Board, a five-member panel that aims to improve trust and accountability between Birmingham Police Department and residents, has announced a series of community listening sessions.

The discussions will be held:

Aug. 31 at the Birmingham Crossplex, 2337 Bessemer Road

Sept. 7 at the Brownsville Heights Recreation Center, 9225 Airport Road

Sept. 21 at City Council chambers, 710 20th Street N.

And Oct. 5 at a site to be determined.

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announced the creation of the Civilian Review Board in April as a direct response to the recommendations from the city’s Public Safety Task Force and national calls for reimagining public safety. The board’s primary purpose is to provide transparency and an independent assessment on police operations, create space for accountability of the City and the police department for its operations, and review community complaints of alleged officer misconduct. This would include allegations involving false arrest, false imprisonment harassment, inappropriate/abusive language, and excessive force.

“The Civilian Review Board is here to bridge the gap between policing and community,” Mayor Woodfin said. “An independent, community led platform will be a major step in both providing transparency and raising residents’ trust of police operations.”

Members of the board include:

Rev. Lawrence Conoway – pastor, Fellowship Bible Church

T. Marie King – activist, speaker, trainer/facilitator

Annetta Nunn, YWCA domestic violence court advocate; former chief, Birmingham Police Department

Victor Revill – criminal justice attorney, Public Safety Task Force member

Joyce White Vance – former U.S Attorney, Northern District of Alabama; Public Safety Task Force member

To learn more, contact the Civilian Review Board at (205) 254-2740, email info@Birminghamcrb.org or visit birminghamcrb.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Birmingham. The views expressed are the author's own.