History

Formed in the fall of 2005, the Police Community Advisory Board (CAB) was designed to provide the Police Chief face-to-face dialogue with representatives from the community. More recently, the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing emphasized the importance of community involvement in policing as a strategy to improve trust between law enforcement and the public. Within the study, community advisory boards and community involvement were specifically recommended as action items for local law enforcement, as well as training and education, improved technologies, and officer wellness and safety programs.

Today, it is critically important for all police organizations to promote and cultivate community involvement with their agencies. The CAB is designed to establish a meaningful, effective and on-going relationship between the police and the community in both formal and informal ways.

Selection and Service

The CAB is an advisory board consisting of members representing the broad Davis community. Members are selected by and serve at the will of the Police Chief.

Representatives do not serve a specific term; however, some representatives have a natural term limit by the nature of their selection from the group they represent (e.g., Chamber of Commerce representative). While there is value in turnover and fresh ideas, there is also value in the consistency of having people on the board with historical knowledge and perspective. Ideally, members will develop a relationship with the police department built on understanding and trust that they can communicate to their constituents. As the needs of the community and the police department change, the make-up of the CAB is expected to change.

Since CAB is an advisory panel, it has no review or investigative power over internal investigations over police oversight. The CAB is about building police-community relationships. 

General Purpose

The CAB will serve as a working group of community members that will help the police department review and address the recommendations contained in the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The CAB representatives also meet with the Police Chief on a monthly basis to provide input to the Chief regarding constituent concerns.

Additionally, CAB members take information away from the police department back into the community. This Board has a broad public representation and input into the police department. Most importantly, CAB opens and sustains on-going dialogue with key members of the community on issues of mutual concern. It serves to enhance police/community dialogue and facilitate transparency of police policy, procedure and operations.

General tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Implement the recommendations contained the in the Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.
• Engage with the police department; participate in meetings, surveys, and other activities.
• Participate in problem-solving efforts to reduce crime and improve quality of life in Davis.
• Work with the police department to ensure crime-reducing resources and tactics are being deployed that mitigate unintended consequences.
• Review policies and practices, and advocate for early intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the criminal justice system.

Board Members

Angela Willison
Carla Pion
Diane McGee
Janis Lott
John Patella
Laura Juanitas
Murre Traverso
Steve Luxa
Sean Shimada
Shelly Bailes
Skip Harrison
Tara Richardson
Ted Parks
Brian Horsfield