Tampa, Florida -- Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is under fire after announcing last Friday a new Citizens Review Board to improve the relationship between the Tampa Police Department and the community.
Nearly a week ago, Buckhorn signed an executive order that would enable a Citizen's Review Board for the City of Tampa.
"I think it will send a signal to folks that this department is open, it's transparent," said Buckhorn.
But his announcement sent a bad signal to residents. The mayor's board will have no subpoena powers or rights to an independent investigator.
"It's a waste of time to have a review board that doesn't have any bite. It is like talking to a tree," says Patti Silliman, who's son was shot and killed by a Tampa police officer.
Even Tampa city council is upset saying that the mayor's board was something they weren't aware of.
"A strong mayor does not equal a weak city council unless the mayor allows it," says Tampa City Council member Yvonne Capin.
"I would like to hear first what we originally requested," says council member Lisa Montelione.
They had asked just two weeks ago for the police chief to study other cities' review boards as they were looking into the idea of adding one here.
"What we asked for was to put a timeline on review and presentation you were going to make," says Montelione.
They never got the presentation.
"I never heard from the mayor. We need to work with the mayor," says council member Frank Reddick.
They also believe that his Board is flawed mainly because 9 of the 11 members on the Board will be hand-picked by the mayor.
"We've been a puppet for this administration, and I passed the days I've been a puppet," says Reddick.
The council asked the police chief that they would like him to come back to the board on Sept. 17 with a plan that would allow them to appoint seven members, the mayor just two members and two alternates.
The mayor has made it clear that this is his Board and he didn't even have to give city council the authority to appoint even two members.
Following the debate at Thursday's council meeting, ACLU of Florida Director of Advocacy Joyce Hamilton Henrystated:
"We hope that the city council understands from the reaction at today's meeting that the current proposal falls well short of what the community needs and is demanding when it comes to accountability for law enforcement. A truly independent civilian review board should have the authority to conduct its own investigations, give policy recommendations, and make determinations regarding discipline. A body that can only review the conclusions of the department's internal investigation is not an independent oversight body – it's dangerously close to a rubber stamp. The racial disparity in how laws are being enforced in Tampa has eroded the trust between the community and the police who serve them, and we hope that the city council understands that. Tampa needs a real civilian oversight board, not a band-aid, to restore that trust and keep our community safe."
"I am so proud of the way that the citizens of Tampa have come together around this issue to make their voices heard. Going forward, the city council and the mayor must come together to advance the interests of the entire community they were elected to serve."
