Since 2020, CPOC and PPD have been working collaboratively on a reform project to examine civilian complaints against police across several years. CPOC published the first report (Part 1), the Collaborative Review and Reform of the Police Board of Inquiry (PBI), in June 2021; this report pushed forward unprecedented reforms in the police discipline system. CPOC’s goal was to provide transparency about PPD’s disciplinary process and to identify processes within PPD that could benefit from increased accountability. CPOC issued many detailed recommendations to create a more effective and equitable disciplinary process, and to increase trust among police officers and members of the public in the procedures. PPD accepted all the recommendations.
Part 1 was extremely successful in changing the Police Board of Inquiry, the PPD unit that manages the disciplinary process. Major reforms included: CPOC reviewing police officer discipline charges, civilians sitting as adjudicators on PBI panels, and civilian attorneys prosecuting administrative discipline cases. These reforms show that with commitment and collaboration between civilian oversight and police, real reforms are possible.
Today, CPOC is releasing Part 2 of the Collaborative Review and Reform of the Police Board of Inquiry. This new report provides an update on what recommendations PPD has implemented since Part 1. Part 2 also highlights some lessons learned so far. Finally, the report presents new recommendations for the PPD to further improve the disciplinary process.
Part 1 broke new ground as a large-scale collaborative reform project between CPOC and PPD, and it signaled a willingness from the PPD to share resources and a commitment to driving discipline reform forward. CPOC is proud to share all the changes that have already been made and looks forward to continuing the collaborative reform work with PPD in pursuit of a more just disciplinary system for Philadelphia’s law enforcement.
Collaborative Review and Reform of the PPD Police Board of Inquiry Part 2 Report
Download: Updates Explainer, Charging Updates Explainer, New Recommendations Explainer and PPD Misconduct Flowchart
Collaborative Review and Reform of the PPD Police Board of Inquiry Part 1 Report
