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In Cities Across US, Voters Support More Police Oversight

By Danny Castillon 11/21/2020256 views

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2020, file photo, a man holds a sign during a protest, in Cleveland. Voters in communities across the country, including Columbus, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Jose and Seattle, approved measures on Election Day toughening civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies, including some that took years to reach the ballot but grew in urgency after global protests over racial injustice and police brutality. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

(AP) — Voters in communities across the country have approved measures toughening civilian oversight of law enforcement agencies. Entities such as civilian police review boards have been around for decades. But the power of such boards varies greatly, including their ability to issue subpoenas. The role of such boards came back into focus following weeks of spring protests over racial injustice and police brutality. Voters in Columbus, Ohio, approved the first-ever such review board. It includes an Office of Inspector General for police review. Similar measures passed in San Jose, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle; and Philadelphia.