WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION & VISION
OUR CHARTER
the source of our power & duties
In 2019, Rochesterians overwhelmingly voted to amend the City’s constitution (the City Charter) to create the Police Accountability Board. Section 18 of the Charter contains a set of laws and directives that define the PAB’s mission, goals, and capabilities. The Charter also gives some operational guidance that allows us to fulfill our mission.
To perform our work, the City Charter gives the PAB a broad range of abilities. These abilities include: Some of these abilities – specifically, the ability to conduct disciplinary hearings and discipline officers– are currently pending due to a lawsuit filed by the Locust Club—RPD’s police union. Despite this lawsuit, the Board retains a wide array of abilities to perform its essential work. These abilities include:
In 2019, Rochesterians overwhelmingly voted to amend the City’s constitution (the City Charter) to create the Police Accountability Board. Section 18 of the Charter contains a set of laws and directives that define the PAB’s mission, goals, and capabilities. The Charter also gives some operational guidance that allows us to fulfill our mission.
To perform our work, the City Charter gives the PAB a broad range of abilities. Some of these abilities – specifically, the ability to conduct disciplinary hearings and discipline officers– are currently pending due to a lawsuit filed by the Locust Club—RPD’s police union. Despite this lawsuit, the Board retains a wide array of abilities to perform its essential work. These abilities include:
- The ability to examine all RPD policies, procedures, practices, and trainings
- The ability to educate and engage the community regarding policing and public safety practices
- The ability to independently investigate potential wrongdoing by individual officers, including by issuing subpoenas and reviewing investigatory materials obtained by the RPD
- The ability to create proposed policies, procedures, and legislation to change our public safety system
- The ability to hire staff to exercise all of these powers
- In addition, the City Charter imposes a duty on the RPD and the City to provide the PAB with any “source of information” it requests.
- The portions of the City Charter creating the PAB are below.
OUR HISTORY
Before PAB came into being, the only oversight for RPD was the Civilian Review Board (CRB). The CRB had limited authority because it did not have the ability to: open external investigations, collect evidence, or interview witnesses.
The PAB’s mission is much broader. Our goal is to bring about full transparency and accountability of findings, practices, policies and procedures of the RPD. We can create change in three ways:
- Investigate allegations and practices of police wrongdoing.
- Craft legislation for systemic change.
- Hold hearings and subpoena
- Investigate allegations and practices of police wrongdoing.
- Craft legislation for systemic change.
- Hold hearings and subpoena
Once new legislation is drafted by the PAB, it is handed over to Rochester City Council who will vote whether or not to pass the new law. However, the only guarantee something gets done is through the pressure of the community. Center our community in making sure new laws get passed.
OUR VALUES
Ideas that define our culture
These values include:
OUR WORK
Our Charter governs the day-to-day actions of our Board Members and staff. The Charter sets out four core tasks the Board must fulfill. Each these core tasks is fulfilled by a different Division of the Board. These Divisions are described below.
Investigations Division
Holds sworn officers of the Rochester Police Department accountable through independent investigations into potential wrongdoing.
Policy and Oversight Division
Oversees the policies, practices, and procedures that constitute Rochester’s policing system and creates proposals to keep Rochesterians safer.
Public Affairs & Community Engagement Division
Ensures the community is educated about our public safety system and is engaged in all parts of PAB’s work.
Operations Division
Ensures the Board operates accessibly, functionally, and transparently.
These Divisions are organized under an Executive Office, which provides the leadership and legal support necessary to ensure the success of the Board’s day-to-day work. In turn, the Executive Office reports to the Board itself, which is comprised of nine Rochesterians who serve as volunteers. Each nominee subject to City Council approval.
