An effort to add two alternate members to Chattanooga’s Police Advisory and Review Committee, which would have ensured all nine City Council districts have representation on the board, failed this week.
The city has temporarily paused the operations of the citizen board until Oct. 29 to bring it into compliance with a new state law. Committee members, however, have criticized the state-mandated changes, stating they would hinder the committe’s ability to weigh in on allegations of police misconduct.
The law requires board meetings be public and places the committee at the end of the investigative process for internal affairs complaints — after the executive chief has made a decision about the case and any potential discipline.
(READ MORE: Members blast state-mandated changes to Chattanooga police review committee)
It also limits the committee’s size to seven members, each appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Chattanooga’s current board has nine appointees — one for each district. Council members have discussed whether it could be possible to add two non-voting members to step in as alternates when there isn’t a quorum.