CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Cedar Rapids is now closer to having a citizen’s police review board.
The city council approved a model last night that would let the board oversee police practices and complaints against the department.
The board would not be allowed to take disciplinary action or start investigations into police conduct.
Several more steps are required before the city council takes a final vote to install the citizen's review board.
An ordinance for the board must be drafted and reviewed through public hearings.City staff expects an ordinance to be passed over the next several months.
There are three key pillars to the model passed by the council last night: public engagement, recommendations for police training, policy, and procedure, and reviewing complaints.
Groups such as Advocates for Social Justice were hoping the board would be more involved in areas such as the hiring and firing of the police chief.