Rochester’s Police Accountability Board says the City of Rochester is trying to take away its independence before it’s fully up and running.
The board held a news conference Tuesday saying it was supposed to be an independent body, but the city council is taking away its ability to hire its own staff and wants the right to approve the hires. Council already votes to approve people nominated as board members and the hiring of the PAB’s director. Council also approves the PAB’s annual budget.
Board Chair Shani Wilson said they won’t compromise on the issue of hiring their own staff, and they won’t have the city undermine their independence. Wilson said in a statement the PAB’s attorneys have confirmed the board is a separate entity from city council and not subject to council. She says city council is trying to make the PAB its political tool.
Rochester’s Police Accountability Board says the City of Rochester is trying to take away its independence before it’s fully up and running.
The board held a news conference Tuesday saying it was supposed to be an independent body, but the city council is taking away its ability to hire its own staff and wants the right to approve the hires. Council already votes to approve people nominated as board members and the hiring of the PAB’s director. Council also approves the PAB’s annual budget.
Board Chair Shani Wilson said they won’t compromise on the issue of hiring their own staff, and they won’t have the city undermine their independence. Wilson said in a statement the PAB’s attorneys have confirmed the board is a separate entity from city council and not subject to council. She says city council is trying to make the PAB its political tool.