New State Law Effectively Shuts Down Chattanooga Police Review Panel

Image Credit: Chattanooga City Council & City Boards / YouTube

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

In a Tuesday meeting, members of the Chattanooga Police Academy and Review Committee (PARC), along with some City Council members, spoke out against a new state law that they say is effectively dismantling the panel’s effectiveness.

The council voted 5-3 to temporarily stop the proceedings of PARC through October 28, which is the deadline given by the state for compliance with the law.

Former PARC chair Kay Baker says the bill “is not worth the 10 pages it is written on.”

Baker noted that PARC had created a relationship with the police department and had worked hard to bring about a number of necessary changes. However, many feel the new law is taking that away.

The new law requires that PARC meetings be open to the public, but City Attorney Phil Noblett noted that certain aspects that are heard in the committee are not allowed to be divulged to the public.

It would also require a paid executive director be added, even though those involved say that position would have very little work to do for that pay. It would also mandate that the board be made up of seven members. The current board has 9 members, one from each district. Under the new law, the mayor selects the members before they are confirmed by the council.

Vice Chair Jenny Hill says the bill “was designed so that it (PARC) would be rendered ineffective.”

Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod asked if PARC members could continue as they have been until the law goes into full effect. However, Moblett stated that would be risky as board members could be considered to be violating that state law.

When asked if they would be willing to take on that risk, all PARC members stated that they would not.