According to its enabling statute, PCB is composed of five members, one of whom must be a member of MPD, while the other four must have no current affiliation with any law enforcement agency. All Board members must be residents of the District of Columbia, and they serve staggered three-year terms without compensation. The Mayor nominates members to the Board, who must then be confirmed by the Council.
The Board meets on the third Thursday of every other month. At these meetings, OPC management updates Board members about various issues, including developments in office infrastructure, outreach, and personnel matters. In addition, the Board is provided with a report of the complaints received by OPC, along with the disposition of these complaints. The Board takes an active role in the work of OPC, offering guidance on many issues affecting the operation of the office. The Board also is charged with reviewing the executive director’s determinations regarding the dismissal of complaints, making recommendations to the Mayor, the Council, MPD, and DCHAPD, where appropriate, regarding changes in policy that may decrease the level of police misconduct, and monitoring and evaluating MPD’s handling of protests and demonstrations held in the District of Columbia.
Board Members
The current members of the Board are as follows: