July 14, 2020
Today, during the City of North Miami Virtual Regular Council meeting, the Citizen Investigative Board (CIB) moves forward for implementation and adoption.
“After months of nationwide protest and civil unrest, the City of North Miami took action in order to protect the safety and welfare of all North Miami residents,” said Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime. “The CIB will position the North Miami Police Department in a positive light within the community and enhance the department’s community policing efforts,” said Bien-Aime.
“In a historic vote today, the North Miami City Council established a Citizen Investigation Board,” said Vice Mayor Alix Desulme, Ed.D. “As a public servant and lifelong resident, I am fully committed to improving the oversight and transparency of our North Miami Police Department and look forward to the significant impact, structural reform and communal accountability this board will bring,” said Desulme.
“Today, we made history for the betterment of our community by investing in our community,” said Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin. “The board will provide immeasurable relief of stress and fear within our community. I hope and pray that those who feel like their lives do not matter, know today, we voted to show them how much their lives do matter to the City of North Miami,” said Estimé-Irvin.
The CIB is the first board created to act as an independent civilian oversight entity for sworn officers of the City’s police department with the authority to monitor and review civilian complaints of misconduct by police officers. The board will be empowered to act with municipal police powers in the City of North Miami; conduct fair and timely independent investigations, dispute resolution proceedings, public hearings and fact-findings concerning complaints of behavior by law enforcement officers, filed by any member of the public or of the CIB itself; Conduct fair and timely evaluations, public hearings and fact-findings concerning reviews of law enforcement policies, procedures, practices and patterns of behavior; and make written recommendations requests, and reports to the Mayor and City Council in connection with the CIB investigations, reviews and evaluations.
The CIB will consist of an executive director and necessary staff determined by the director. The board’s chair will report to the North Miami City Council. The CIB will operate on an annual budget not to exceed 1.5% of the police department’s budget, as established by the Mayor and City Council.
