MANSFIELD — Two seats on Mansfield’s Police Community Review Commission have remained vacant for months.
According to Assistant Law Director John McCollister the PCRC is responsible for reviewing Mansfield Police Department internal investigations. McCollister attends the group’s meetings to assist the review board with legalities.
“Once the police department’s investigation is completed, the review determines whether the investigation was thorough, accurate, credible and impartial,” McCollister said.
The first seat became available in December when Kizzy Williams of NECIC stepped down from her seat representing the city’s fourth ward. She did not provide the city a reason for her resignation.
The second seat became available in April when Bill Baker, also a member of NECIC, stepped down from his seat representing the city’s fifth ward. Baker stated he did not have time in his schedule.
Members of the PCRC are appointed by city council members and represent the city’s six wards and one at-large seat. Their terms last two years and city employees are prohibited from serving.
Meetings, which are open to the public, occur regularly on every third Thursday of each month in the city’s council chambers at 6 p.m.
“If there is no business, they do have the ability to cancel the meeting,” McCollister explained. “The citizens of Mansfield will not be affected if there is no meeting.”
McCollister said the review board was presented with a new complaint during its last meeting, June 16. Since the complainant was part of an ongoing investigation, however, he could not speak to specifics.
“Whenever there is a complaint, it doesn’t mean they are charged with a crime,” McCollister said of complaints against police officers, adding nearly 99 percent of complaints made against police officers don’t result in charges.
And some complaints do not amass into criminal charges. However, former Mansfield Police Officer Michael Garn was presented to the review board as a complaint before his case was heard by a jury and judge.
For more information on how to apply for the city’s fourth or fifth PCRC seats, call 419-755-9680.
