The Audit and Review Committee For Citizens and Police Relations started in 1991 after some members of the African American population felt they weren't being represented. In some cases, the committee votes to determine whether the police department acted properly.
Pastor Fred King says not guaranteeing spots for members of the NAACP and the AAPA is making the situation worse. King says they have a good relationship with Mayor Jim Lienhoop but that strong future relationships are not guaranteed.
"A handshake is one thing. Something in writing is something else, and we need something in writing," King says. "And I think that's the only way - We feel like we didn't gain anything. I said earlier in the meeting I feel like we were dinged by losing potentially losing two spots on the committee."
The city says promising spots to exclusive organizations could lead to future legal issues. Instead, the mayor will take recommendations for potential candidates from the public, as well as "charter members" from the AAPA and NAACP.
Mike Harris is also a pastor with the AAPA. He says even though African American population makes up less than 2 percent of Bartholomew County that they are the reason why the committee was created in the first place.
"We still believe we need to have a place at the table along with the NAACP. I don't care how big the board is. We just believe we need seats on the board," Harris says.
Other major recommendations include making the complaint filing process easier, changing the name to the Community Police Review Board to reflect the purpose of the committee and increasing the number of voting members from five to six.
The appeal process will also offer an option to voluntary mediation. This means residents will be able to speak with the office of chief of police before a filing an official appeal to the committee.
The board of works will vote on the proposed changes March 13. The goal is to have them implemented by the second quarter of this year.
City officials say even after the vote, nothing is written in stone. The city says it will try to reassess the board every 2 years.
