Since Sheriff Demings announced that he is forming a civilian review panel (CRP) and since the PBA already has a contract proposal (Article 7 Section 6 - Appearance before Citizen Review Board or Similar Entities), we requested clarification from the Sheriff so these questions were sent to him via his legal and contract staff.

NOTE: In recent discussions, the OCSO contract negotiation team assured the PBA that there were no plans to embrace another type of oversight citizen board, especially given the extensive time, money and effort expended by both the PBA and OCSO to disband the County CRB. This leads the PBA to ask the following questions:

1. Will the OCSO propose this new CRP as part of the collective bargaining agreement?

2. What will be the composition of the CRP? (Demings offered PBA a position on the CRP and the chairman is the head of the NAACP)

3. Who will appoint the CRP members?

4. What law enforcement experience will be required of a CRP member, if any?

5. What authority will the CRP have - recommendations, findings of fact or improper police techniques?

6. Will the CRP be able to effect discipline or recommend discipline? (Demings already said "no" - verbally)

7. Will deputies be compelled to appear? (Demings already did not give a definitive answer but did "verbally state" they would NOT have subpoena powers)

8. Will deputies be compelled to testify?

9. Will deputies have the right of representation and will their representatives be able to represent the deputies at the hearings?

10. Will the hearings be recorded - audio and/or visual?

11. Can the results of this CRP's determinations - whether in the form of recommendations to the Sheriff or as a final determination, open the door for possible civil litigation against the deputies?

12. What are the compelling arguments to form this CRP?

The above list is not all inclusive but will give the PBA information to form a better position and strategy to best handle this looming issue.

Please be assured that the PBA is doing our best to address this important issue for our members.