Nominations Sought For New Fairfax Civilian Review Panel

From The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently established a Civilian Review Panel to review complaints concerning alleged misconduct by Fairfax County police officers. The Board of Supervisors is currently seeking applications from members of the community who wish to serve on the Panel. Organizations are encouraged to nominate individuals, and individuals may also nominate themselves. The Board of Supervisors will ultimately select nine people to serve on the Panel.

The Civilian Review Panel will have jurisdiction to review complaints of abuse of authority or serious misconduct by a Fairfax County police officer. The Panel shall define "abuse of authority" and "serious misconduct" in its bylaws, which will be subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors. There are two avenues by which a Complaint or Request for Review concerning alleged abuse of authority or serious misconduct could reach the Panel. First, an individual may file a Complaint with the Panel. Second, an individual may Request Review by the Panel of an already-completed internal Fairfax County Police Department investigation.

Panel members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors for terms of three (3) years. Panel members will serve at the pleasure of the Board. A Panel member may be appointed to no more than two (2) consecutive terms. The terms of the Panel members shall be staggered. The Panel members shall elect one of their members to serve as Chair of the Panel, with the exception of the first Chair, who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Panel shall be composed of nine (9) members, and each should be a Fairfax County resident with expertise and/or experience relevant to the Panel's responsibilities.

The Board of Supervisors seeks to create an independent and fair body for the Panel. The Board will consider the following factors in appointing members of the Panel:

• Community and civic involvement
• Diversity
• Law enforcement and/or criminal investigative experience
• Geographical representation
• Other factors designed to ensure a balanced Panel representative of Fairfax County

No Panel member shall be a current employee of Fairfax County, a current or former member of the Fairfax County Police Department or the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, have a relative (i.e., an immediate or extended family member) who is a member of Fairfax County Police Department or Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, hold public office, or be a candidate for public office. At least one (1) of the Panel members shall have prior law enforcement experience (other than as a member of the Fairfax County Police Department or Fairfax County Sheriff's Office).

To apply or to nominate another individual, please submit a resume and 1-2 page cover letter explaining how you or the nominee fit the criteria set forth by the Board for the Panel. This letter and resume must be received by the Office of Clerk to the Board of Supervisors, no later than January 31, 2017. You can mail the information to Clerk to the Board of Supervisors Attn: Catherine Chianese, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 533, Fairfax, VA 22035, or email ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov. The Board hopes to make selections in the February 2017 time frame. For additional questions, please contact Clayton Medford, Chief of Staff of Chairman Sharon Bulova at 703-324-2321.

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