How To Apply To Be On Brookline's Policing Reform Task Force

BROOKLINE, MA — In the wake of social justice protests that have rippled across the country and into Brookline, Town leaders voted to create a Task Force to Reimagine Policing in Brookline and the Select Board Committee on Policing Reforms, now Town officials are asking for members of the community who are interested in joining the task force and committee to step up to apply.

Members of the Brookline Select Board will chair both the task force and the committee. And the teams will work separately on their respective charges and then come together to compare findings and coordinate next steps.

"The input of diverse stakeholders will be critical to the work of both groups, so I urge anyone who is interested in taking part, either through committee membership or public comment, to engage with these groups and involve themselves in these critical conversations," Select Board Chair Bernard Greene said in a statement.

Officials have estimated that the process could be a long one.

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Task Force To Reimagine Policing In Brookline

The Task Force will be charged with responsibilities centered around exploring and recommending a new, data-informed approach to public safety.

The Select Board is asking that the Task Force first develop an understanding of the Town’s approach to public safety, as well as an in-depth sense of how specific populations — including, but not limited to people of different races, religious, sexual orientations, gender, gender identity and ethnicity experience policing.

The Task Force is also charged with exploring alternative approaches to public safety in the U.S. and abroad, as well as approaches of its own, and consider whether some police functions may be better suited for other departments or agencies.

Select Board Member Raul Fernandez will chair the task force. Advisory Committee Chair Mike Sandman will participate along with nine Brookline residents committed to re-imagining the town’s public safety model, according to the Select Board.

Officials said they will ensure at least half of the residents on the task force will be from communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by policing.

If you're interested, you have until Aug. 5 to apply by filling out this form.

Select Board Committee On Policing Reforms

The committee will review and identify police policies and procedures, training and education and the supervisory structure of the Brookline Police Department and determine whether and what kind of improvements and updates would benefit the department and the Town.

The review focus on determining how to ensure policing in Brookline is equitable and supported in the community, especially among Black and Hispanic communities, immigrants, residents of Brookline Public Housing, the LGBTQ+ community and residents from other historically vulnerable populations.

The committee will review systemic and institutional issues affecting policing in Brookline, including Civil Service rules, mutual aid and similar agreements, state statutory and regulatory provisions, town bylaws, collective bargaining and vendor contract provisions.

Select Board Chair Bernard Greene will serve as the chair of this committee. The committee will be made up of 10 other people who represent racial, ethnic, and gender diversity and a "reasonable level of viewpoint diversity."

Any Brookline residents interested in participating on this committee should review the membership section of the charge and apply using this form by Aug. 5.