After nearly 5 years, Nashville is at risk of losing its Community Oversight Board, which was designed to hold the police accountable.
The Tennessee legislature is moving forward on a bill (HB 0764/SB 0591) that would dismantle the oversight boards in Nashville and Memphis within 90 days of its passage. The bill would also replace the boards with a mayor-appointed committee that has little power to investigate citizen complaints against police.
In 2018, 58.8% of Nashville voters approved the creation of the COB, which gained subpoena power two years later.
State Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, accused oversight board members of overstepping their bounds, but opponents of the bill say independent oversight is essential.
But what do Nashville voters think? This Is Nashville is planning a Citizen Nashville episode about the future of community oversight boards.
What are your thoughts about the COB and the legislature’s attempt to replace them? Leave your comments in the box below.
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