Community Formation Commission to Present Civilian Oversight System Recommendations to City Council

On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, the Santa Barbara Community Formation Commission (CFC) approved the framework to create a civilian oversight system for the Santa Barbara Police Department. The CFC will now present the final recommendations to the City Council at a special meeting on April 22, 2022 at the Gebhard Public Meeting Room at 630 Garden Street.

The final recommendations of the Community Formation Commission can be found here:

https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/brdcomm/ac/cfc/agendas.asp

Gabe Escobedo, Chair of the Community Formation Commission, said the process was long but thanked the commissioners for their efforts.

“The level of thoughtfulness you all brought to the process, the level of discourse that we had on a really tough subject, all while respecting each other—I have never been a part of anything like this. It’s been an honor to be on this commission with you all,” he said.

The Commission began its work in March 2021, and has worked for thirteen months on creating its recommendations based on review of different civilian police review systems, existing and new police accountability systems, community input, and a review of the police department’s existing standards and protocols.

The agenda for the special meeting will be available on the City’s website on April 19, 2022.