The Metro Nashville Community Review Board and Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) are now operating under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that governs their collaboration on civilian review of police activities. The Community Review Board approved the negotiated MOU at their meeting on November 18, and the MOU was fully executed on November 20. It’s the first MOU between the two entities.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell applauds the completion of the agreement that calls for a cooperative relationship between the board and police department. Shortly after taking office, Mayor O’Connell reconstituted the voter-approved Community Oversight Board into a Civilian Review Board that complied with new state law and appointed Jill Fitcheard to be its director.
“I maintained active dialogue with both our Community Review Board and the Metro Nashville Police Department, and I am pleased to see a Memorandum of Understanding come to fruition,” said Mayor Freddie O’Connell. “I am encouraged by the prospects of a cooperative framework between the CRB and MNPD.”
The CRB and MNPD have been in active negotiations for much of 2024, and the agreement includes the following key tenants:
- The MOU calls for quarterly meetings between MNPD Chief Drake and Director Jill Fitcheard.
- Creates an agreed upon process for MNPD to provide the CRB access to documents and video, including body cam and dash cam videos and for the CRB to review MNPD OPA investigations related to allegations of officer misconduct.
- Provides the opportunity for CRB members and staff to participate in MNPD’s Citizen Police Academy.
- Permits the CRB to request the Department of Emergency Communications to provide notification of critical incidents to the CRB.
“I am thrilled about the outcome and the work that the board members put in to get the MOU prepared for negotiation. We worked diligently to negotiate an agreement that gives us the ability to work alongside the police department to meet the expectations that are set before us. I am looking to our pathway forward, and it is my hope that we work together to improve and enhance the community’s faith in public safety in our city,” CRB Director Jill Fitcheard said.
“Assistant Chief Dwayne Greene and Deputy Chief Tommy Widener represented the police department in negotiation of the memorandum of understanding with the Community Review Board. I have reviewed the final draft and expect to sign it this week,” MNPD Chief John Drake said.
The Memorandum of Understanding also provides target deadlines for parties to complete their work in a timely manner.
Nashville voters approved civilian oversight of the police department in 2018. In 2023, the state legislature passed a bill removing some powers from civilian oversight boards and mandating its reconstitution as a civilian review board.
The MOU took effect immediately upon final signatures November 20.
