Citizen Police Review Board

Mission

The Independent Citizen Police Review Board ("CPRB") promotes responsible citizenship and respectable law enforcement through mutual accountability. The broad mandate of the Citizen Police Review Board is to provide independent review of the conduct of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. To accomplish this assignment, the Board will thoroughly investigate specific allegations of misconduct, hold public hearings to examine such allegations; evaluate current police procedures and promote safe, professional and effective law enforcement practices through public education on rights, responsibilities and police authority; and make recommendations to the Mayor and Chief of Police regarding police policies and procedures. The Independent Citizen Police Review Board strives to improve the relationship between the community and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police by promoting transparency, integrity, and mutual accountability through individual complaint investigations and reviews, public hearings, and the rendering of advice to the Mayor and Chief of Police on individual complaints of police conduct, police policies, practices, and procedures to ensure all are guided by the principles of justice, respect, and equity. A Board comprised of seven members appointed by the Mayor and City Council presides over the work of the staff and determines all final dispositions of cases. The Board conducts public hearings and renders findings and recommendations to the Chief of Police and Mayor as related to the matter or complaint under review.

Departmental/Bureau Overview

Investigation and Complaint Disposition - Citizens must file a notice of intent to file a citizen complaint with the CPRB within six months of the incident from which the complaint arises. Upon contact from a citizen, the Lead Investigator/Intake reviews each citizen complaint, develops a preliminary investigative plan and assigns the case to an Investigator. Weekly reviews of investigation activities are conducted and the case record is audited weekly. The Assistant Executive Director provides daily supervision and oversight of case investigations as needed in support of the Lead Investigator’s recommended actions. Investigators conduct preliminary inquiries into cases and the results are presented to the Board. The Board considers the evidence and determines whether to further an investigation into the allegations of misconduct or to dismiss the complaint. Complaints may proceed through investigation to a public hearing at the Board’s discretion. Findings and recommendations resulting from public hearings are forwarded to the Mayor and Chief of Police who must respond to the Board. Patterns emerging from complaints and allegations of misconduct may be presented to the Board for consideration of policy recommendations to the Chief of Police and Mayor.

Community Education - The goal of community education and outreach is to improve relations between citizens and police by developing or enhancing common knowledge of police authority, practices and procedures, and civilian expectations of police conduct. Outreach utilizes printed material, traditional and social media, and personal appearances of members and staff to ensure the public has an opportunity to be informed of the CPRB’s role and common rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The CPRB’s Community Liaison leads the effort with citizens to (1) ensure that the public is adequately prepared to respond to police encounters in a manner conducive to the safety of the citizen and the officer, and (2) convey information on filing complaints when such encounters are perceived as offensive. The outreach to police officers is designed to encourage participation in investigations, explain the process, and integrate their concerns into the community education effort.

Board and Staff Development - Training for Members encompasses topics mandated by City Ordinance, including police training, police policies and procedures, criminal, civil and constitutional law as well as human rights and contemporary practices of civilian review of law enforcement policies and police behavior. Staff training is designed to enhance investigative skills, utilize technology for research and case management, and develops mediation and conciliation skills as well as crisis management and safety skills. Staff adheres to the standards and performance objectives expected of Certified Police Oversight Professionals as established by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

Administrative - The Executive Director is responsible for administering the policies and procedures of the Board and those of the City which affect the daily operation of the Independent Citizen Police Review Board. Activities 240

of this core service include the planning, organization, development, evaluation, and implementation of efficient and effective management strategies of fiscal, personnel, information systems, and related support to maximize the utility of the resources available. The Assistant Executive Director facilitates daily administrative communication and serves as liaison to the administrative departments of the City.

2026 Accomplishments

• Through September 2026, the Board fielded 151 complaints.
• Participated in both the Spring and Fall Citizen Police Academy.
• The Community Liaison attended 25 unique community events and the regular meetings of the Public Safety Zone Councils.
• CPRB served as an information resource to various parties, including the media.