Mayor Ras Baraka announced plans to draft an executive order to create a Civilian Review Board. The board will be made up of nine members, including an inspector general. A federal report found the Newark Police Department “routinely engaged in excessive force and violated citizen’s constitutional rights.”

The new civilian complaint review board will have the power to investigate police officers and issue subpoenas, but may only recommend punishment, not enforce it. According to a Newark councilman, “as long as it operates within legal boundaries, the board can help build the public’s trust with the police while creating more transparency.”

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