ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE
The UC Santa Cruz Police Accountability Board (PAB) is designed to promote accountability, trust, and communication between the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) community and the UCSC Police Department (UCSCPD). The PAB is responsible for independently reviewing and making recommendations regarding investigations of complaints made by members of the campus community and the general public (also referred to as civilian complaints) in a fair and unbiased manner.
ARTICLE 2 – QUALIFICATIONS
PAB members and alternates must: (1) commit the necessary time throughout the year for PAB training and meetings; (2) prepare and read the appropriate materials in connection with making recommendations; and (3) maintain ethical standards, including confidentiality. Other than mandatory quarterly meetings, alternates need not attend meetings or review investigation materials if the PAB member will be in attendance.
In order to ensure independence, no member or alternate of the PAB can be a current or former UC Santa Cruz Police Department employee, or a current employee of Campus Counsel or the Office of Equity and Equal Protection.
ARTICLE 3 – COMPOSITION
The PAB shall be comprised of seven (7) members who broadly represent the diversity of the UCSC community. The PAB shall include:
- Two (2) undergraduate students;
One (1) graduate student;
Two (2) faculty members;
Two (2) staff members;
One of the members will serve as chairperson and one of the members will serve as vice chairperson pursuant to the process described below.
The following entities may submit nominations for representation on the PAB:
- Academic Senate
- Student Union Assembly
- Graduate Student Association
- Staff Advisory Board
- Division Student Affairs and Success
Support for the PAB will be provided by the Administrative Advisory Group which will include representatives from the Office of the Chancellor, Office of Campus Counsel, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Office of Equity and Equal Protection. The Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection will serve as Chair of the Administrative Advisory Group.
ARTICLE 4 – NOMINATIONS, SELECTION AND ALTERNATES
The entities identified in Article 3 may nominate a representative to the PAB, utilizing the PAB nomination process. Each entity will provide up to two (2) nominees. The Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection or their designee will select at least one (1) PAB representative and up to one (1) alternate from the entities’ nominees, which will result in seven (7) PAB members and seven (7) alternates and maintain the composition identified above. All fourteen (14) representatives will participate in training and each can have access to the confidential redacted investigation reports and attend meetings.
In the event that nominating entities fail to provide nominees as requested, or the nominees identified by the entities decline to serve as a representative to PAB, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection or their designee is authorized to seek further nominees from these identified entities as well as alternative campus community entities to ensure appropriate representation on the PAB.
ARTICLE 5 – TERMS
Members and alternates serve a term of two (2) calendar years following the date of their nomination. A member or alternate may serve additional terms exclusively through adhering to the same process as their initial selection. A two (2) year commitment is significant and the term can be served as a member or an alternate. For example, someone who serves as a member in year one can serve as an alternate in year two (or vice versa) and fulfill the commitment.
In circumstances where a member will not be a qualifying representative for their full term, such as where a student graduates or a faculty member retires mid-term, the member shall notify the PAB of an imminent change in their qualifying status to ensure that a qualified member may take their place.
The Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection or their designee shall maintain an updated roster of PAB members and alternates. Additionally, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection/designee is responsible for ensuring timely mid-term selection processes when notified of an outgoing qualified member.
In the event that a member suddenly loses their qualifying status, departs from their role, or is removed from their position, the designated alternate for their role shall immediately assume the role of member until such time that the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection facilitates the selection process for said member role.
In the event that an alternate suddenly loses their qualifying status, departs from their role, or is removed from their position, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection shall facilitate the selection process for said alternate role.
ARTICLE 6 – OFFICERS
As needed, the PAB shall elect one (1) of its members as the Chairperson and one (1) as the Vice-Chairperson (who shall preside only in the Chairperson’s absence). Officers shall be elected annually and hold office for one (1) year terms. Officers may be reelected to serve consecutive terms.
ARTICLE 7 – ETHICS
The PAB will be governed by the Code of Ethics, which is modeled on the Code of Ethics developed by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).
ARTICLE 8 – REMOVAL
The appointment of any PAB member who has been absent from three (3) consecutive regular or special meetings is subject to termination effective on the third such absence.
Any breach of the PAB’s Code of Ethics will be cause for review. The Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection or their designee may remove a PAB member or alternate for cause, including transgressions of policy, confidentiality, or ethical standards.
ARTICLE 9 – QUORUM AND VOTING
Five (5) members present in a remote or physical setting for the meeting shall constitute a meeting quorum. Decisions of the PAB shall be made by vote of a simple majority (half plus one) of the members in attendance provided that a quorum exists. Alternates will only participate and vote in meetings when the PAB member representing their entity is absent.
ARTICLE 10 – RECUSAL
PAB members must recuse themselves from a matter when (1) an actual conflict of interest exists; (2) there is an appearance of impropriety; or (3) a member is concerned with whether they can participate objectively and in an unbiased manner. When you identify a situation that may be a conflict, or could be perceived as a conflict, you must notify the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Equity and Equal Protection or their designee.
ARTICLE 11 – TRAINING AND CONFIDENTIALITY COMMITMENTS
PAB members and alternates shall receive training developed by the Office of Equity and Equal Protection regarding police procedures, relevant legal issues, impartiality, the confidential nature of police misconduct investigations and discipline, and the civilian oversight field.
ARTICLE 12 – PAB POWERS AND DUTIES
The PAB will:
- Review relevant UCSCPD policies and procedures and all redacted investigation reports submitted regarding complaints made by members of campus community and the general public against the UCSCPD. The PAB will not review any complaints filed by UCSCPD employees.
- Solicit public input by holding regularly scheduled and advertised meetings at least quarterly, which shall include time for public comment. Additional meetings shall be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
- Run its meetings utilizing Robert’s Rules of Order as a guide.
- Review and deliberate in closed session, consistent with applicable law, to protect the confidential nature of the complaints and redacted redacted investigation reports.
- Submit advisory recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding (1) UCSCPD policies and procedures/training and (2) the findings of redacted investigation reports. The PAB may also solicit progress reports from the Chief of Police regarding policy and training recommendations. The Chief of Police, however, retains full and final authority, discretion, and responsibility regarding the ultimate disposition of the matter, including disciplinary determinations and whether to accept, reject or modify the PAB’s recommendations.
- Prepare an annual public report for the UCSC community and the public as detailed further in Article 13.
ARTICLE 13 – REPORTING
In the interests of transparency and accountability, and in conformity with Penal Code section 832.7, the PAB shall issue an annual, public report detailing summary information and statistical data regarding the number of complaints filed, the type of complaints filed, analysis of trends or patterns, the ultimate disposition of the complaints (sustained, not sustained, exonerated or unfounded) and the percentage of complaints in which the recommendations of the PAB were either accepted, rejected or modified by the Chief of Police.
ARTICLE 14 – AMENDMENT
After consultation with the PAB, these bylaws and any amendments or supplements thereto may be adopted, amended, altered, supplemented or repealed by UCSC.