The Police Review Commission
The Berkeley police Review Commission (PRC) was established by voter initiative in 1973. Ordinance No. 4644-N.S. created the PRC as a nine-member body having independent authority to investigate and hear complaints filed against employees of the Berkeley Police Department (BPD) and to provide citizens involvement in setting and reviewing BDP policies, practices, and procedures.

The PRC is one of the oldest civilian oversight bodies in the nation. Today civilian oversight is an established part of municipal entities throughout the United States and internationally. Berkeley’s PRC serves as a model for emerging oversight bodies.

The PRC strives to ensure that Berkeley Police Department policies reflect community values. PRC has been involved in:

• Holding community meetings on proposed police canine unit and community policing;

• Working with the Commission on Disabilities and BPD representatives to develop a general order to bring BPD into compliance with ADA and with members of the transgender community to establish a transgender policy and training for BPD;

• Conducting a study of BPD use of pepper spray and its effectiveness that has received international attention.

	BERKELEY COPWATCH 2022 Blake Street, Berkeley, CA. 94704 (510) 548-0425 To receive regular announcements about trainings, meetings and events send your e-mail address to: berkeleycopwatch@yahoo.com
	Berkeley Police Review Commission 1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor, Berkeley, CA  94704 TEL: (510) 981-4950, TDD: (510) 981-6903, Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional Information

• City and Police Clash Over Pepper Spray
  May Chow, Daily Californian, August 12, 1997
• Police Commission Marks 30 Years of Controversy
  Matthew Artz, Berkeley Daily Planet, December 5, 2002)
• Calling a Truce on the War on Drugs Forum (2000) Two-part forum (4 hours)...featuring various speakers addressing current drug enforcement policies and the medical impacts of drug use. Viewed on cable access in Berkeley.
• Anniversaries Celebration of the Police Review Commission  (1996 & 2003) Speakers at the celebration talking about the history of the Police Review Commission in Berkeley and the importance of civilian review. Viewed on cable access in Berkeley.
• Swearing-in of Chief Roy Meisner...a gathering of local dignitaries and community to celebrate the swearing-in of the new Chief of Police. Viewed on cable access in Berkeley.
• Police Prohibit Open Dialogue On Parking
  L A Wood, Daily Californian, October 24, 2000
• THE "LIGHT" AND "HORN" ARE GREAT AIDS TO THE POLICE IN BERKELEY.
  American City , January 1918
  

• Pepper Spray Forum (1997)...a forum at the Berkeley Community Theatre. AND Pepper Spray Discussion (1997)...a discussion held in the Berkeley City Council chambers, old city hallViewed on cable access in Berkeley.
• Berkeley Community Policing Forum (2002)...Police Review Commission
  Viewed on cable access in Berkeley.
• ALSO see: PEPPER SPRAY TIMES (P.S.T.)