The City of Newark has released the names of seven of the nine appointees to the Civilian Complaint Review Board. On April 30th, Mayor Baraka signed the Executive Order to establish a Civilian Complaint Review Board to oversee the Newark Police Department.
Comprised of nine people, the board will review complaints against police behavior, and have the power to receive, investigate, hear, make findings and recommend action upon complaints by members of the public (including but not limited to complaints made by other police officers or personnel) against uniformed members of the Police Department that allege misconduct involving excessive use of force, abuse of authority, unlawful arrest, unlawful stop, unlawful searches, discourtesy, or use of offensive language, including, but not limited to, slurs relating to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Their findings will be submitted to the Police Director.
“We are proud and privileged to name these seven outstanding individuals from our community organizations to serve on the City of Newark’s first-ever Civilian Complaint Review Board. Separately and together, they are among the finest, most active, and most concerned minds, hearts, and souls in our City. They will work tirelessly to address citizen complaints, insure that our Police Department upholds the law by following the law, and bridge the gap between our courageous offices and our wonderful citizens. Newark will be united by this groundbreaking initiative, which will be a major power in transforming Newark into a safer City we can all believe in,” said Mayor Baraka.
The members of the Board will consist of nine members of the public. The Inspector General will be appointed by the Mayor, three will be appointed by the Municipal Council, and the remaining five were recommended for appointment by the following organizations:
- American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of New Jersey
- People’s Organization for Progress
- La Casa de Don Pedro
- Ironbound Community Corporation
The following individuals have been selected as appointees from the respective organizations:
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU) Appointee
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Mr. Rashawn Anthony Davis
Rashawn Anthony Davis is a former organizer with the ACLU and 2015 Fellow of the New Leaders Council. Mr. Davis is a Huffington Post contributor (Black Voices) and in 2014, became the youngest person to ever be certified on a municipal ballot in the history of the City of Newark.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of New Jersey Appointee
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Mr. Richard H. Robinson
Richard H. Robinson, Paralegal with Essex-Newark Legal Services. Mr. Robinson is a former volunteer with the Innocence Project and has served as an Executive Member with the Criminal Justice Program of the NAACP Newark Chapter.
People’s Organization for Progress (POP) Appointee
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Ms. Annette M. Alston
Annette M. Alston is a K-12 educator with the Newark Public Schools. She has nearly three decades of experience teaching and published a children’s book in 2011, Sheri Berry, the Scritch, Scratch Cat.
La Casa de Don Pedro Appointee
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Mr. Harrison Munoz
Harrison Munoz is a senior security specialist with more than 15 years of expertise in security system design, installation and maintenance. He has provided oversight of security systems in support of companies such as Prudential Global Security.
Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) Appointee
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Mr. Victor Monterrosa, Jr.
Victor Monterrosa is a staff attorney with Covenant House, New Jersey, and has had extensive experience providing legal advocacy services in various areas of civil justice. A graduate of Vassar College and the Rutgers School of Law-Newark, Mr. Monterrosa is also the recipient of several scholarship and fellowships, including the 2014 Center for Law and Metropolitan Equity Fellowship.
Clergy Appointee
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Rev. Pablo Pizarro, Jr.
Rev. Pablo has served as the Lead Pastor of the Lighthouse Assembly of God since 2010 and as the Newark Police Chaplain since 2003. He has provided community training on drugs, domestic violence and gangs and coordinated inspirational services for youth detainees at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.
Newark Anti-Violence Coalition Appointee
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Dr. Bryant Ali
Dr. Ali is the Pastor of New Psalmist Worship Center in Newark since 1994. Dr. Ali is a published author and often participates in community engagement walks with the Newark Police Department.
The final appointee is still being chosen. No current or former police employees, excluding the Inspector General, will serve on the board.
[feature image photo credit: City of Newark Press Office]
