Fort Worth Police Chief proposes setting up a Board of Control; but he will choose the members

DALLAS – The Fort Worth police chief faced resistance over a proposal to appoint his own local police control board.

Critics worry that the commission, which could ultimately shape police policy, would lack diversity or independence.

Fort Worth Mayor Matty Parker says she is open to the idea of ​​Chief Neil Noakes creating a community advisory council.

“Right now, I think what Chef is suggesting is a really solid step in the right direction,” she said.

“Trust can be destroyed overnight, but trust cannot be restored overnight,” Noakes said. “And in some communities in Fort Worth, there is a long history of distrust of the police.”

The chief laid out the mission for the 19-member board. The city says the panel will amplify citizen voices on issues related to policing. He has obligations to 13 different civil, community and religious leaders.

Cory Session is a former member of the Race and Culture Task Force. He says the whole idea of ​​a public advisory board under the chief of police ignores what the task force recommended: it should be a fully independent police oversight board.

“I’m not sure what part of the city council is missing. This is not what we recommended. Citizens cannot go to an advisory board and file a complaint and expect it to be investigated regardless of internal affairs,” he said. “The chief of police is more than welcome to have advisers. You can create this advisory board, but it cannot be sufficient and cannot replace a public supervisory board.”

Other concerns are that the list does not include young activists, such as those who led protests during some of the city’s police incidents related to racial tensions. The chief says that he will decide.

“I think some of the board members might feel like this is a replacement. I think there were those on Tuesday who said very loudly that this is a positive step,” Parker said. “But independent oversight is not enough for them. I think I’m worried about redundancy.”

The session passionately thinks otherwise.

“If you don’t listen to the people of Fort Worth, you are damned and doomed,” he said. “That’s not what they want. Take off your blinders. The citizens have told you what they want. Now you’re telling them what they’ll get, and that’s wrong.”

The mayor mentioned his concerns about the dismissal. Part of her point of view has to do with the fairly recent creation of a city police force. It provides people with the opportunity to file complaints about police problems.

The mayor says the city is working to make sure citizens know about it.