NEW ACRB FINALISTS MEET THE PUBLIC
TOMORROW: TUES. 6/26 @ 6:30 PM, Atlanta City Hall, 2nd Floor

Last week, we shared that both ACRB Investigator Sheena Robertson and former New Orleans Deputy Police Monitor Holly Wiseman were repeat finalists for ACRB Executive Director. One ACRB member reported that the board was unable to settle on three finalists and instead voted to present four to the public (because Wiseman and another candidate were tied). By the looks of it, that is no longer the case. Here are the three finalists, according to the ACRB website:

RICHARD A. RASMUSSEN of Sandy, Utah
Administrator with the Salt Lake City Civilian Review Board; Deputy Director Emer. Ops, SLC; Supervisor Special Agent, FBI; Special Agent, FBI; AF Officer; Investigative Skills Expert; Military Service, Bachelor of Science Degree.
http://acrbgov.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Richard-A-Rasmussen.pdf

SAMUEL L. REID, II of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Assistant Director, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority (CRA); Manager, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights; Minneapolis Civilian Police Review Authority; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Attorney; Juris Doctor 2002; Masters of Business Administration 2002.
http://acrbgov.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Samuel-L-Reid-II.pdf

VICTORIA A. URBI of Antioch, California
Former Police Review Commission Officer, Berkeley, California; Investigator, Citizens’ Police Review Board (CPRB), Oakland, California; Interim Civil Rights Officer; California Western School of Law, Juris Doctor 1999; Speaker and Trainer on Civilian Oversight.
http://acrbgov.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Victoria-A-Urbi.pdf

What: Your ONLY opportunity to meet the candidates before an executive director is chosen

When: TOMORROW, JUNE 26 (TUESDAY) @ 6:30 PM

Where: Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia (2nd Floor)

*Come ask the candidates questions about their views on issues like police brutality, racial profiling and best practices in oversight!
*Make a decision about which ACRB board members you trust, and which ones you believe are nothing more than puppets for the police union and oversight opposition!
*What is oversight like in Berkeley? Salt Lake City? Minneapolis?
*Voice your concerns to the ACRB about how independence and transparency impact their credibility with our communities!

Who's in? Email us at atlantablocs@gmail.com.

It's been a while since we all got together. So, Mother Moore has invited us to her place on Wednesday, June 13 at 6:30 PM to discuss our action plan for the rest of the year.

Let's talk about where we've been and where we're headed. Bring your ideas and energy!

Please R.S.V.P. to Tiffany (tiffanydwilliams@gmail.com) if you can make it and I'll send you Mother Moore's address (most of you already have it). Please also feel free to bring a dish or beverage with you.

Atlanta Citizen Review Board under scrutiny

Police resistance, internal politics put effectiveness in doubt
By Rhonda Cook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

5:00 a.m. Sunday, May 27, 2012

Outrage over a botched raid built on lies from informants followed by cover-ups by cops who killed a frightened, innocent 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston in her home — and then planted drugs in the house — led to the birth the Atlanta Citizen Review Board.

The board was given investigators, subpoena power and a mandate to provide a credible, independent and “safe and welcoming place” to bring complaints and accusations of misconduct and abuse by public safety officials.

More than five years later, the oversight board’s existence is threatened by resistance from the police force, an apparent lack of interest from city government, internal board politics and a damaged public image.

The board is supposed to have 11 members appointed by neighborhood planning units, lawyers’ groups, the City Council and the mayor. But it’s been operating with only 10 members for the past seven months, awaiting a new appointee by the mayor.

Newton County neighbors charged after home buyers' arrests

By Christian Boone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

6:53 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012
A Newton County man and his son who authorities said held a gun on the new owners of a neighboring home were arrested Monday night and charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal trespass.

Porterdale resident Robert Canoles said he has no second thoughts about interrupting what he thought was a robbery in progress Thursday night at his neighbor's house -- though he is now facing criminal charges just days after deputies lauded his armed response.

3 APD officers face discipline in woman's wrongful jailing

By David Ibata
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

8:51 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2012
Three Atlanta police officers face disciplinary action in the case of a woman wrongly jailed for nearly two months, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Teresa Culpepper spent 53 days wrongfully incarcerated in Fulton County Jail because she had the same name, Teresa, as a woman wanted by authorities in an aggravated assault case.