590.653. Civilian review board--powers, duties. - Missouri Statutes

Civilian review board--powers, duties.

590.653. 1. Each city, county and city not within a county mayestablish a civilian review board, or may use an existing civilian reviewboard which has been appointed by the local governing body, with theauthority to investigate allegations of misconduct by local law enforcementofficers towards members of the public. The members shall not receivecompensation but shall receive reimbursement from the local governing bodyfor all reasonable and necessary expenses.

2. The board shall have the power to receive, investigate, makefindings and recommend disciplinary action upon complaints by members ofthe public against members of the police department that allege misconductinvolving excessive use of force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, or useof offensive language, including, but not limited to, slurs relating torace, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability. Thefindings and recommendations of the board, and the basis therefor, shall besubmitted to the chief law enforcement official. No finding orrecommendation shall be based solely upon an unsworn complaint orstatement, nor shall prior unsubstantiated, unfounded or withdrawncomplaints be the basis for any such findings or recommendations.

(L. 2000 S.B. 1053)