ARLINGTON—Police Chief Julie Flaherty has been attending meetings of the town’s Police Civilian Advisory Board Study Committee since March. On Wednesday, October 27, the Study Committee will host a public forum at 7pm for residents, and Chief Flaherty is encouraging anyone with an interest in civilian-police relations to attend.
The 2020 Town Meeting charged the Study Committee with two duties:
- The Study Committee shall study the creation of alternative mechanisms for civilians to file complaints regarding police interactions, considering the various models including a police civilian review board independent from the police department with the authority and resources to receive and investigate complaints. Said committee shall also review police services, examine the experience of comparable communities, and consider the impact of the pending legislation.
- The Study Committee shall report its findings and any recommendations to the 2022 Annual Meeting, any earlier Annual or Special Town Meeting, and/or other appropriate administrative, management or elected or appointed officials.
On Wednesday, the Study Committee will hear from residents about what their expectations are for the Study Committee.
In August, the Study Committee published a Status Report to the Town on its work to date. You can read that here: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/58004
Please register for the Wednesday, October 27 public forum here.
If you would like to offer feedback to the Study Committee but cannot attend the October 27 forum, you can fill out this online survey instead.