ROCK HILL, S.C. — A Rock Hill board created to review citizen complaints against the police could be in for some major changes.
This week, city council members proposed the changes, but some members and citizens said they’ve been kept in the dark.
Channel 9′s Tina Terry talked to some of them and pushed city leaders to find out what changes they’re proposing. She started calling and emailing city leaders Thursday, but was told the information will be released to the public next week. Some citizens say the public should have been informed days ago.
Community activist Norma Grey demanded answers from Rock Hill’s city council at a meeting Monday.
“I’m asking you tonight to be transparent and let the citizens of Rock Hill know what changes you are making,” she said then.
The agenda item shows council members put forth a resolution ”to authorize the duties of the citizens review board,” but it was unclear to many exactly what that meant.
“It’s very embarrassing to us as the Citizens Review Board to get notice on an agenda of a resolution that affects what we do, and we have no information about it,” Judy Honeycutt told Terry.
“It’s almost like it’s a secret as to what changed. I just need clarification,” another board member said. “I’m not saying I’m for it or against it. I just want to be clear what changed. I think we deserve to know that.”
[ ALSO READ: Board rules against CMPD’s decision that officer-involved shooting was justified ]
“I don’t think anybody up here knows that you haven’t been consulted. So we’ll get you a read line copy,” the mayor said.
Grey pushed to create the CRB nearly three years ago. She’s still waiting for details on proposed changes.
She also wants the city to make the public more aware that the CRB exists.
“I think citizens of Rock Hill who have a complaint against the police department are not fully known of their right to process all the way to the Citizens Review Board,” Grey said.
In the past two years, 62 complainants have come forward against Rock Hill police, but it appears that only one chose to appeal to the CRB.
On Friday, a liaison with the board told Terry it is currently reviewing its first case.
Terry talked to police who told her anyone who makes a complaint is made aware of their right to appeal to the CRB.
(WATCH BELOW: Controversy over Citizens Review Board’s proposed subpoena power)
This browser does not support the video element.