by Jack Beckett | The Charlotte Mercury
Published August 6, 2025
The Board That Has Never Said No
For 28 years, Charlotte’s Citizens Review Board has heard complaints from residents who believe the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department got it wrong—when an officer used force, searched without cause, or acted in a way that seemed unprofessional or worse.
In 113 appeals since its founding in 1997, the board has never successfully overturned CMPD’s original ruling. Not once.
At a recent City Council committee meeting, board members finally asked: What’s the point of oversight if it never changes the outcome?
Layers of Procedure, No Power of Decision
The CRB’s process is methodical. Residents must first file a complaint with CMPD’s Internal Affairs. If they disagree with the department’s decision, they can then appeal to the CRB within 30 days.
From there, the board—which is composed of 11 volunteers who must complete a 12-week CMPD Citizens Academy—launches a three-phase review:
- A private file review of internal CMPD documents, bodycam footage, and transcripts.
- An initial hearing in which the citizen and CMPD each appear separately.
- If warranted, a formal evidentiary hearing with sworn testimony and cross-examination.
Despite this structure, the board does not issue binding decisions. It can only make recommendations to the police chief and city manager. In every instance where a citizen appeal advanced, CMPD’s position was upheld.
“We’re not here to make new laws,” CRB Chair John Watkins said. “But if the process never results in change, that’s a problem.”
Advisory Only: “Watchdog” with No Bark
City Attorney representatives confirmed during the August 5 Housing, Safety & Community Committee meeting that no CRB decision has ever resulted in a reversal of CMPD’s internal finding.
The board’s recommendations are advisory only. And while they have prompted modest changes—such as clarifying CMPD’s use-of-force continuum and encouraging more proactive communication with complainants—their power is limited.
Council Member Marjorie Molina said it plainly: “There are humans that feel like we’re not being transparent. And that has nothing to do with intent. That has to do with optics.”
Reforms Requested: Less Training, More Access
During their presentation, the CRB asked for three modest changes:
- Reduce their required annual training from 8 to 4 hours, citing a lack of available material that isn’t repetitive.
- Allow two board members to attend the annual NACOLE conference on civilian oversight.
- Give CMPD and the City Manager 14 days (instead of the current 7) to review and respond to the board’s findings.
The board emphasized that members volunteer their time and put in extensive hours to review cases that often take weeks to prepare. “We’re not asking for power, just the resources to be taken seriously,” said Vice Chair Brittany Kosciuszko-Lee.
Council Pushes for More Than Cosmetic Reform
While some members sympathized with the board’s logistical concerns, others focused on deeper structural issues—namely, the lack of enforcement power and transparency.
Council Member Renee Johnson asked why the CRB’s decisions aren’t made public or summarized online. Staff responded that most of their work is confidential under state law, though final votes are recorded in open session.
“Transparency builds trust,” Johnson said. “And I’m not seeing that.”
Can Justice-Impacted Citizens Serve?
The most pointed exchange came from Council Member Tiawana Brown, who objected to the CRB’s prohibition on members with felony or Class A1 misdemeanor convictions.
“We allow retired police officers to serve, but we won’t allow someone who’s been justice-involved? That’s ridiculous,” Brown said. “Charlotte calls itself a second-chance city. But our own oversight board says: ‘Not for you.’”
Brown called the CRB’s founding ordinance “ludicrous” and “prehistoric.” (It was created in 1997 and last updated in 2013.) She said the board’s exclusionary membership criteria undercut its legitimacy.
Oversight in Name Only?
Even supporters of CMPD’s current oversight structure expressed discomfort with the board’s record.
“CMPD has more power than any other department,” said Council Member LaWana Mayfield. “If we’re going to have a Citizens Review Board, it has to be more than window dressing.”
The City Clerk confirmed that only those who complete the CMPD Citizens Academy can apply—and those with certain convictions cannot.
It’s not just about who is allowed to serve. It’s about whether the public believes their voices are heard.
CMPD 113, Citizens 0
In a city that has faced criticism over police conduct in recent years—from protests to high-profile cases—the idea that no appeal has ever resulted in reversal raises uncomfortable questions.
Watkins, the CRB chair, acknowledged the record. “We review the facts. But the record speaks for itself. We’re not overturning anything. And that’s why we’re here today.”
City Council members offered no immediate legislative changes, but several expressed interest in revisiting the CRB’s authority, transparency, and eligibility standards in the coming months.
Charlotte’s watchdog board may not have a bite. But it’s no longer content to be silent.
☕ About the Author
Jack Beckett is senior writer at The Charlotte Mercury, where he covers local power, policy, and coffee that tastes like regret and democracy. When not combing through city council transcripts, he’s probably refilling a chipped mug or muttering about zoning acronyms.
Looking for more stories like this? You’ll find everything from zoning brawls to billion-dollar rail dreams at cltmercury.com. Check out:
And don’t miss our election coverage:
🗳 Poll Dance 2025: Join the Dance
It’s Charlotte’s least-tacky way to stay informed about the most cringe-worthy season in local politics.
We don’t track you. We don’t autoplay anything. We do believe in your right to understand how Charlotte works.
Got tips? Got coffee beans? Got beef? Message us on Twix (X.com) and we’ll be listening.
For the fine print:
#WeAreCharlotte | #LastToFirst | cltmercury.com
Creative Commons License
© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, “Charlotte’s Watchdog Board Seeks Teeth, Time, and Transparency,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Charlotte’s Watchdog Board Seeks Teeth, Time, and Transparency”
by Jack Beckett, The Charlotte Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)
