Meeting Public Comments

Betty Andrews [NAACP, Iowa-Nebraska State Area Conference of Branches]

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend in person as I am traveling, so I am sharing these comments in writing:Statement from Betty Andrews, NAACP IowaNebraska State Area Conference of Branches on HSB 82The NAACP IowaNebraska strongly opposes HSB 82, a bill that seeks to ban citizens review boards in Iowa cities. This legislation is a step backward in the pursuit of transparency, accountability, and justice in law enforcement and usurps the power of local government. Currently about five cities in Iowa have citizens oversights boards or committees and our organization has been instrumental in helping establish four of these boards in response to community concerns, including cases of alleged racial profiling. Citizens review boards serve as a vital mechanism to ensure law enforcement agencies operate with fairness, respect, and transparency. These boards allow community members a voice in evaluating police conduct, fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.Citizens review boards provide a fair and independent lookin, ensuring law enforcement understands that accountability to the public is paramount, Dismantling these boards silences the communitys call for oversight and transparency within the justice system.The NAACP believes that preventing cities from establishing or maintaining these boards undermines the principles of local control and community engagement. Instead of silencing these critical efforts, we urge the legislature to support measures that enhance accountability and rebuild trust between law enforcement and Iowas diverse communities.We stand firmly with the residents of Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights and those in the process of establishing citizens review boards in their efforts to ensure fair and transparent policing. The NAACP IowaNebraska will continue to advocate for policies that promote justice and equity for all Iowans.

Skylar Limkemann [Iowa Fraternal Order of Police]

HSB 82 is an important bill to improve the city civil service process, including by barring police civilian review boards. These boards are duplicative of civil service commissions and are a waste of tax payer dollars. This bill will result in savings for cities and government efficiency by eliminating these time consuming civilian review boards. Overall, this bill is needed to provide officers due process, which they have not been getting in some of these cities. Please vote yes on this bill.