| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Summary | ||
2 | This tracker documents the progress made toward implementing 21st Century Policing (21CP) recommendations related to the Professional Standards Unit (PSU). These recommendations focus on strengthening internal accountability processes, standardizing investigative procedures, and improving the handling and documentation of complaints. The tracker identifies actions that have been completed, those currently in progress, and additional steps being taken to update policies, improve oversight, and enhance transparency. | ||
3 | Recommendation | Status | Priority |
4 | PSU should be lead by a supervisor who reports directly to the Chief of Police | Completed | 1 |
5 | Evaluate staffing levels | In Progress | 1 |
6 | PSU sole repository of all internal investigation files, kept in a secure location with digital backup | In Progress | 2 |
7 | Make the filing of complaints more accessible, both in person and online | In Progress | 1 |
8 | Eliminate additional hurdles to filing a complaint | In Progress | 1 |
9 | Ensure all complaints, even those not explicitly alleged as a complaint, are forwarded to PSU for classification and investigation | Completed | 1 |
10 | Clarify policies to require any member of the department who becomes aware of potential misconduct to notify an uninvolved supervisor immediately | In Progress | 1 |
11 | PSU initiate a complaint and open an investigation of any potential misconduct it becomes aware of or uncovers during an investigation | In Progress | 1 |
12 | Provide a process for the informal resolution of complaints that do not arise to an allegation of misconduct | In Progress | 2 |
13 | Policy should require that PSU be immediately notified of any allegations of potential criminal conduct by a member | In Progress | 1 |
14 | Policies should be revised to ensure that all complaints are forwarded to PSU for appropriate classification before investigation | In Progress | 3 |
15 | Revise policies to ensure that PSU applies a clear set of criteria for assigning complaint investigations | In Progress | 2 |
16 | Require an immediate preliminary investigation by an uninvolved supervisor to ensure that evidence is properly gathered and documented | In Progress | 1 |
17 | Address “public safety statements” in policy and training | In Progress | 3 |
18 | Require investigators assigned to complaint investigations to affirmatively assert that they have no conflicts of interest or bias that could impact the investigation | Completed | 1 |
19 | Revise or adopt policies, procedures, and training to guide all Chain of Command investigations | In Progress | 2 |
20 | Adopt comprehensive PSU policies/procedures aligned with best practices and POST requirements | In Progress | 1 |
21 | NBPD should use a chronological log to document each internal investigation | Completed | 2 |
22 | Provide training to all supervisors on how to frame the allegations in each complaint so that each allegation of potential misconduct is adequately investigated and results in a finding | In Progress | 2 |
23 | Provide additional guidance and training to investigators of potential misconduct on how to make credibility assessments | In Progress | 2 |
24 | Establish a criminal team made up of at least 3 detective supervisors from the Criminal Investigative Division to lead the criminal investigation when a complaint alleges both criminal and administrative violations | Not Started | 3 |
25 | Establish policies and procedures for parallel criminal and administrative investigations, with training for the teams conducting each of these investigations, to ensure that neither investigation is tainted | Not Started | 3 |
26 | Only use the four generally accepted categories of findings in misconduct investigations and should eliminate the use of other findings or categories | Completed | 2 |
27 | Revise policies to clarify who recommends a finding at the conclusion of a complaint investigation | In Progress | 2 |
28 | Ensure that progressive discipline is imposed for repeated violations of policy of a similar nature | Completed | 1 |
29 | Adopt a disciplinary matrix or penalty guide to ensure that discipline is fair and consistent | In Progress | 2 |
30 | Develop a formal process for settlement of disciplinary cases in coordination with the City Solicitor’s Office, including the use of “last chance agreements" | Not Started | 2 |
31 | Clarify the Professional Standards Division’s role in reviewing and auditing use of force | Not Started | 2 |
32 | Require supervisors investigating routine uses of force to conduct initial reviews of body-worn camera footage for the incident, rather than PSU | In Progress | 1 |
33 | Find a new location for the PSU office | Completed | 1 |
34 | Increase transparency through public reporting and online policies | In Progress | 2 |
35 | Establish routine internal and external audits | Not Started | 3 |