Citizens' Review Committee (C.R.C)
Citizens' Review Committee
1200 Travis Street, Suite 2001
Houston, TX 77002-6006
Contact: George Buenik
Phone: (713) 308-1853 Fax: (713) 308-1853
Email: George.buenik@cityofhouston.net
Updated as of: 8/18/2010
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(City)
City of Houston, Charter, Article VI. Exectuive Order, No. 1-5, approved in its entirety on May 23, 2005.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
To create a process whereby appointed residents of the city of Houston may review internal police investigations of possible misconduct by employees of the Houston Police Department that involve allegations of excessive force, discharge of firearms, serious bodily injury or death, and any other matters referred by the chief of police. To provide a system of increased accountability and transparency and to facilitate resident input into the internal investigative process of the Houston Police Department.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Meetings shall be held during normal business hours or, upon approval of the assistant chief of the Internal Investigations Command, after hours. The Houston Police Department shall provide meeting/office space for the panel and its members.
COMPOSITION
TOTAL: 50 memebers, appointed by the Mayor, based on referrals and recommendations provided by City Council members and the City of Houston Chief of Police.
Members of the committee shall:
1. Be a United States citizen.
2. Have resided for at least three years, and continue to reside during the term of his or her appointment, within the corporate limits of the city of Houston.
3. Be willing to spend four to five hours a week reviewing cases and attending meetings.
4. Be willing to make a commitment to serve for up to three years.
5. Be willing to attend a two-to-three day training session.
6. Have no prior felony convictions.
7. Have no Class A or B convictions within the five years preceding his or her appointment.
8. Hold no political office.
9. Not be employed by any law enforcement agency.
10. Not be an employee of the city of Houston.
11. Not be an immediate family member of any Houston Police Department personnel.
NOTE: The committee shall be comprised of four panels consisting of seven members each. The remaining twenty-two committee members shall serve as alternates, who shall be called as needed to fill a panel’s need for a quorum.
TERM: Each member of a panel, including the elected chairperson, shall draw lots for one, two, or three year terms. Terms begin on July 1 and end on June 30, coinciding with the elections of the each panel chairperson. On each panel two members will serve a one year term, three members will serve a two year term, and two members will serve a three year term.
CHAIRPERSON: Annually, each panel shall elect a chairperson, whose term as chairperson shall begin on July 1. The chairperson may designate a member of the panel to act in the chairperson’s absence. No panel member shall serve as chairperson for more than one term unless approved by the mayor.
QUORUM: 4 persons outof each 7 person panel shall consitute a quorum.
COMPENSATION: Not specified.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is NOT included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston.
MEMBER LIST