The bell tower and sign under blue skies on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at UC Riverside.  (UCR/Stan Lim)

UCR Police Accountability Board

 

UCR Police Accountability Board (PAB)

PAB Overview:

The UC Riverside Police Accountability Board is a civilian advisory body that provides oversight review and advisory recommendations. The Police Accountability Board (PAB) has been established to improve the accountability of UC Riverside Police, increase understanding of campus community members and their relationships with law enforcement, and strengthen relationships and communication between UC Riverside Police, and the campus community.  The PAB will review independent investigations into civilian complaints of alleged police misconduct and submit advisory recommendations to Jeff Talbott the Director of Campus Safety/Chief of Police and Dr. Denise Woods Vice Chancellor of Health, Well-Being, and Safety, and Chancellor Kim Wilcox.

The accountability board will solicit public input and conduct community outreach, increase understanding of campus community members and their relationships with law enforcement, make recommendations for UCR Police Department-wide trainings and improved processes, and improve communication between UCR PD and the campus community.  It will continue to propose concrete, clear recommendations for individual and collective changes based on best practices, review UCR PD policies and procedures, work toward increased transparency, and continue to develop and implement assessment metrics to ensure improvements.

The Committee is chaired by Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Dr. Mariam Lam.

  • Systemwide Police Accountability Boards' Tentative Policy

    Every effort shall be made to complete the investigation within one year from the date of discovery by an individual authorized to initiate an investigation. In the event that an investigation cannot be completed within one year of discovery, the assigned investigator or supervisor shall ensure that an extension or delay is warranted within the exceptions set forth in Government Code § 3304(d) or Government Code § 3508.1. If the nature of the allegations dictates that confidentiality is necessary to maintain the integrity of the investigation, the involved employee(s) need not be notified of the pending investigation unless and until the employee is interviewed or formally charged within one year of discovery.

  • Resources & Trainings

    Throughout their service on the board, PAB representatives and staff will receive ongoing training and professional development regarding the civilian oversight field, police procedures, relevant legal issues, impartiality, the confidential nature of police misconduct investigations and discipline and current campus and community safety reform efforts. Continuing education, training and professional development opportunities for the PAB are organized by Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and UCOP.

    The PAB invites speakers to present during board meetings on local programs and initiatives relevant to civilian oversight and campus-community safety at UC Riverside. The PAB also holds an institutional membership with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), and NACOLE trainings are made available to PAB representatives and staff as part of their continuing education and professional development.

    Below are some selected resources and training materials from previous PAB trainings:

    Hate Crimes

    California Penal Code sections on hate crimes:

    Federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA)

    Freedom of Expression

    Balancing First Amendment Rights with an Inclusive Environment on Public University Campuses –Minnesota Law Review, Volume 101, Issue 5

    Police Officer Standards and Training (POST)

    Did You Know? - "Procedural Justice" 

    Did You Know? - "Procedural Justice: Immigrant Communities"

    Did You Know? - "Mental Health"

    Did You Know? - "School Violence"

    National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE)

    The PAB is an institutional member of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). PAB representatives and staff are invited to participate in NACOLE trainings, including webinars and an annual conference, and afterwards brief the board. 

  • UCR Police Accountability Board Members

    Michael Cabral (Ex Officio), Riverside District Attorney's office

    Alton Carswell, Health and Wellness Case Manager

    Vincent Terrell, Law enforcement and community member

    Elizabeth Romero (Ex Officio), Assistant Vice Chancellor, Government and Community Relations

    Jalani Bakari, Community member 

    Kiersten Boyce (Ex Officio), Chief Compliance Officer

    Jordan Steinhauser, GSA President

    Abby Choy, ASUCR President

    Tony Jimenez, Associate Dean of Students, Identity Centers

    Marko Princevac, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

    Shalaurey Jones-Consalvo, Senior Policy Analyst

    Kalina Michalska, Senate Rep; Assistant Professor of Psychology

    Jianzhong Wu, Senate Rep; Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering

    Mariam Lam (Chair & Ex Officio), Vice Chancellor, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Jamie Lopez (Ex Officio), Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs

    Staff Support to the UCR Police Accountability Board:

    Tasha Hudson

  • Public Meeting Information - December 2024 Meeting Summary

    Acknowledgment and Commitment Following the December  PAB Meeting Incident

     

    PAB Meeting Attendees,

     

    On behalf of the UCR Police Accountability Board (PAB), we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended the recent PAB hybrid meeting and for your patience and understanding during the deeply disturbing and disruptive Zoom-bombing incident.

     

    The graphic nature of the content shared during the incident was a shock and difficult to maneuver as we tried to stop it. This act was not only disruptive but also may perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases by deploying intersectional forms of racism and homophobia that impacts many individuals. We acknowledge the particularly harmful impact this incident may have had on our Black, LGBTQ+, law enforcement personnel, DEI supporters, and other attendees, who may have been the target(s) of this malicious attack. We deeply regret the distress, discomfort and harm caused to attendees and especially to those who experience the compounded weight of such targeted discrimination.

     

    Although the meeting was public and preventative measures were in place, these were exploited. We have consulted with Information Technology Services and UCR Police who have investigated this and similar previous Zoom-bombing incidents. We have decided to hold all future public Police Accountability Board meetings in person only, as even with stricter controls for public access, enhanced monitoring during meetings, and immediate removal of the identifiable perpetrators will not necessarily eradicate all known hackers on a public platform. We also believe that an in person format will foster more meaningful direct engagement.

     

    Should you need any additional support, please visit the following resources offices.

    Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 

    https://counseling.ucr.edu/

    Please call the CAPS front desk at 951-827-5531, option 2 for all scheduling needs (virtual or in-person).
    To speak to a 24/7 Crisis Counselor immediately, please call 951-UCR-TALK or 951-827-5531, option 1.  

     

    Faculty and Staff Assistance Program 

    https://hr.ucr.edu/employee-resources/faculty-and-staff-assistance-program

     

    • 24/7 Support
    • Call: (866) 615-3047
    • TTY: (800) 697-0353

    Your toll-free number gives you direct, 24/7 access to a GuidanceConsultantSM, who will answer your questions and, if needed, refer you to a counselor or other resources.

     

    We remain steadfast in our mission to promote accountability, transparency and equity in all our endeavors. Despite this incident, the critical conversations and work of the PAB continue. A summary of the December meeting is available on the PAB website (link).  We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all participants in future meetings. Should you have concerns, feedback or recommendations for improvement, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at vcdei@ucr.edu

     

    Thank you for your continued support, resilience and dedication to this important work.

     


    Summary of UCR Police Accountability Board (PAB) Public Meeting
    Date: December 18, 2024
    Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    Format: Hybrid (In-Person at HUB 355 and Virtual via Zoom)

    The UCR Police Accountability Board (PAB) hosted a hybrid public meeting to discuss key updates and address community concerns.

    Summary of Key Discussions:

    1. Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
      Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (VC-DEI) and PAB Chair Mariam Lam began the meeting with opening remarks, including UCR’s Land Acknowledgement to honor the original caretakers of the land.
    2. Board Introductions
      Board members introduced themselves, sharing their names, titles, and departments or affiliations, both in person and online.
    3. Zoom Bombing Incident
      Following the introductions, a Zoom bombing briefly disrupted the meeting. The board and HUB event staff promptly addressed it, and the incident is under investigation with a review of security protocols underway.
    4. Overview of the Board’s Charge
      VC Lam provided an overview of the PAB’s purpose and goals, emphasizing its commitment to fostering accountability and trust within the UCR community.
    5. Presentation on AB481 Requirements
      Chief of Police Jeff Talbott, accompanied by Police Lieutenants Jason Day and James Wright, presented updates on AB481 compliance. They detailed progress in transparency and accountability regarding the acquisition and use of police equipment.
    6. Locally Designated Official (LDO) Assessment Process
      Kiersten Boyce, Chief Compliance Officer, outlined the LDO assessment process, including updates on case files and procedural developments.
    7. Pre-Submitted Questions
      Two pre-submitted questions were addressed:

     

    1. How effective has the umbrella of UCR PD, Highlander EMS and Campus Safety been in terms of faster response times, improved campus communication, and resources going where needed most? 

    UCPD and Campus Safety have continued to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to effectively share critical information and address the needs of the UCR community.

    Currently, response times average approximately 3 minutes for 911 calls and 4 minutes for fire alarms and medical aids. These response times have remained steady over the past few years, despite a 50% year-to-date increase in calls for service and no increase in staffing levels.

    The implementation of a tiered, co-response model has been a valuable addition to campus safety. UCR’s SWIFT department—a Mobile Crisis Response unit—works alongside Campus Safety Responders (CSRs), who are non-uniformed, unarmed safety professionals. This model deploys licensed clinicians and CSRs to assess and de-escalate situations involving students experiencing mental health crises, ensuring the most appropriate professionals provide support and connecting students to the resources they need.

    SWIFT, operating under Health, Well-being, and Safety (HWS), also follows up with students post-incident to ensure they continue receiving support. This may include referrals to other HWS departments, academic or student affairs offices, or even community partners to promote long-term success and well-being.

    1. With the upcoming change in administration, will on-campus officers receive any training to make sure that students with identities that are currently under scrutiny (i.e. undocumented students, transgender students, etc.) don't feel intimidated or targeted by their presence? 

    All UCPD personnel receive 31 hours of Cultural Diversity instruction in the POST Academy, along with periodic reviews and annual training on hate-motivated incidents and bias. UCPD does not enforce immigration laws or assist federal agencies in such activities, directing inquiries to Campus Counsel instead. The department is committed to maintaining a campus free from bias, discrimination, and intolerance for all community members. For the past three summers, UCRPD has also actively participated in full-day trainings with campus partners in the ethnic and gender programs, basic needs, undocumented students, underground scholars and others, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

     

    1. Public Comment Period
      The meeting concluded with a public comment session, allowing community members to share feedback and ask additional questions. VC Lam reminded participants to keep comments respectful and relevant.

    A faculty member raised concerns about UCR PD’s outreach visits to the Center for Early Childhood Education, and local K-12 schools, noting that the presence of armed officers can cause fear among Black, Brown, and undocumented students. The PAB Chair acknowledged the concern, recognized the importance of community engagement, and suggested exploring additional alternative approaches to address these sensitivities, such as including dispatchers and other law enforcement personnel to participate or asking officers to participate in unarmed plain clothes.

    Next Public PAB Meeting: To Be Announced

    Please note that all future public PAB meetings will be held in person to ensure security,  accessibility, and provide opportunities for face-to-face interactions and direct engagement.