NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation limiting the powers of community oversight boards just months after Democratic-leaning Nashville passed a referendum establishing such a group to investigate police misconduct claims.
State Rep. Michael Curcio, the Republican sponsoring the bill, says the proposal will give statewide standards to oversight boards that he argues are currently lacking in Tennessee. Yet despite growing GOP criticism of Nashville’s oversight board, he repeatedly denied the legislation was in any way a direct response to Tennessee’s largest city.
Separately, Knoxville has had a police review committee since 1998 — which includes subpoena power — and Memphis established its civilian law enforcement review board in 1994 but cannot subpoena officers to come in and testify.
“Its goal is to protect the fundamental rights for police officers and our citizens. This will ensure everyone will be treated respectfully and fairly during any review of alleged misconduct involving members of our law enforcement community,” Curcio said.
Curcio made the announcement surrounded by House Speaker Glen Casada and other top GOP legislative leaders. No Democrats and no black lawmakers were in attendance to support the bill.