Santa Monica’s first civilian police oversight body was selected by City Council, who said this week they are eager to see how residents and local police officials adapt department policies to promote the best of community-oriented policing.
It’s been nearly an entire year since last summer’s protests pertaining to racial justice prompted City Council to form a 15-member Public Safety Reform Advisory Committee, which later made a number of recommendations on how Santa Monica can reform its law enforcement practices and better promote equity in the city. One of the initiatives recommended by the PSRAC was the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission, which Council unanimously agreed to create in January.
Council finalized the 11 members who will serve on Santa Monica’s newly-created Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission after briefly reopening the application process to find more diverse applicants.
Of the 71 applicants, Council selected George Brown, George Centeno, Jaime Cruz, Derek Devermont, Miranda McLaughlin-Basseri, Craig Miller, Greg Morena, Samantha Mota, Lana Negrete, Manju Raman and Angela Scott to serve as Commissioners.
Together, the 11 appointees will be responsible for making recommendations regarding SMPD policies and practices; receiving information relating to any violations of procedures or policies in connection with disciplinary investigations; collaborating with the SMPD to sponsor and promote ongoing interaction and trust-building between the SMPD and community members and promote transparency and availability to the public of SMPD data and records, city leaders summarized. Commissioners are also expected to have the ability to review and make recommendations regarding the proposed budget for the SMPD.
Interim City Manager Lane Dilg said when the commission was first proposed that she hopes it will be a lasting institutional mechanism that will help the Santa Monica Police Department become a benchmark of excellence in community safety.
Interim Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks added this week Santa Monica Police Department personnel welcome the opportunity to work alongside the commissioners of the newly seated Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission and they hope to collaborate on the best and most promising police practices that will help the community.
As Mayor Sue Himmelrich congratulated each of the eleven new commissioners, she said, they will look to ensure that all residents not only are safe but feel safe
“The City Council looks forward to the recommendations, expertise, and experience of the Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commissioners,” Himmelrich added. “We also thank every resident who applied to make a difference in our community.”
Councilmember Kevin McKeown noted earlier this year there can’t be a single ‘perfect candidate’ for appointment to the Commission because the City is looking for productive discussion among various points of view.
On Friday, he added, “I’ve already seen ambitious agendas from new Public Safety Commissioners. I’ll be giving them all possible support to hit the ground running.”
Brennon@smdp.com
