Changes in Charlotte could put controversial citizen review board back in spotlight

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte city leaders have unveiled a list of changes to help move Charlotte forward after the deadly officer-involved shooting of Keith Scott led to violent unrest.

The list includes plans to restore trust between the community and the city, but Channel 9 discovered those changes could put the city’s controversial citizen review board back in the spotlight.

The citizen review board was designed to help look into cases of police misconduct, but for years, some have said it doesn’t have enough power.

“The police department should have some sort of civilian oversight,” said Robert Dawkins, with the NC Safe Coalition.

Dawkins said the board needs more power to do its job.

“If they can’t subpoena a witness to come, if they can’t do their own questioning, then you’re not getting a full picture and gonna lead to an officer always getting cleared,” Dawkins said.

One City Council member told Channel 9 the new plans could include a discussion about giving the citizen review board subpoena power.

“I think now, some of us are willing to reach out to the Mecklenburg delegation to see what we can do,” councilman James Mitchell said.

One Republican lawmaker told Channel 9 he has concerns about giving normal citizens subpoena power, but said he is open to discussing the idea.

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