The functions of Tucson’s Community Advisory Review Board are written in the city’s code. On the city’s website, there is a data-page that mirrors part of the city’s code.

CPARB can do whatever it wants, with few exceptions. The Board cannot independently investigate, discipline officers or make policy. They can study, examine and recommend policy, methods, procedures, approaches and techniques. Board members are appointed by and report to the mayor and council. They are allowed to bring their concerns to the mayor and council as well as the city manager, chief of police and others.

Unfortunately for the public, CPARB chooses to do little other than review three closed citizens’ complaints a month. The Board votes to find each and every case they review as fair and thorough. We wrote and distributed an open letter to Tucson’s Mayor and Council highlighting some of the issues with CPARB.