Sessions planned for July and August will help inform planning for a civilian oversight entity in Somerville

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and The Somerville Civilian Oversight Task Force, established by the city’s Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ), invites community members to attend an upcoming public listening session led by Task Force members about civilian oversight of law enforcement.

 The Civilian Oversight Task Force was established by the city to explore civilian oversight models for local law enforcement, gather data, and engage in research and community outreach to inform the future of a civilian oversight entity in Somerville. The Task Force will ultimately make policy recommendations to the Mayor about the formation of a civilian oversight entity, including its power, duties, composition, and more.

To promote transparency in this process and ensure that this work is community-driven, the Civilian Oversight Task Force is holding public listening sessions to collect community feedback and to ensure that the priorities, concerns, and needs of the community are at the forefront of the conversation.  

Community listening sessions are scheduled for:

• Monday, July 31, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. 

  • Virtual Zoom meeting, register here: bit.ly/CO_listeningsession1

• Monday, July 31, 6:00 – 7:15  p.m.

  • Virtual Zoom meeting, register here: bit.ly/CO_listeningsession2 

• Wednesday, August 2, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.

  • In-person listening session at The Dojo at Somernova, 15 Properzi Way

  • This in-person meeting is limited to 40 attendees

All listening sessions will include the following:

• Briefing on the rationale for establishing civilian oversight entities 

• Introduction of existing civilian oversight models across the country

• Question and answer session to collect community feedback