Fredericksburg Police Accepting Applications For Citizens Panel

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Fredericksburg Police Department is expanding its Citizens Advisory Panel and is now accepting applications to fill five spots. The citizens panel, which will now have nine members, was created in 2015 to facilitate two-way communication between the police department and the community.

The police department said it is committed to ensuring the panel is inclusive by including people from schools and universities; young adults between the ages of 18 and 30; the business community; racial, social, or economic justice organizations; the faith-based community; and the LGBTQ community. Members must live or work in the city of Fredericksburg.

Residents can learn about the expectations of a Citizens Advisory Panel member by reading the Citizens Advisory Panel charter. To submit an online application, visit the Fredericksburg government website. Applications to join the Citizens Advisory Panel are due by close of business Friday, Aug. 14.

Last week, Fredericksburg Police Chief Brian Layton announced the department's adoption of "8 Can't Wait," a national police reform campaign that highlights eight policy changes police departments can make to reduce the number of negative police incidents. The eight polices are: ban chokeholds and strangleholds; require de-escalation; require warning before shooting; exhaust all alternatives before shooting; duty to intervene, ban shooting at moving vehicles; establish use of force continuum; and require all force be reported.

Members of the Citizens Advisory Panel are appointed to the council by the Fredericksburg chief of police for three-year terms. A member who has served two full terms is not eligible for a third consecutive term. A member who has served in the past may be eligible for re-appointment, provided he or she has been off the committee for a period of at least one full term.

Under the expanded panel, membership will include three to five members who come from historically underserved communities, according to the charter.

Meetings are held quarterly or more often as agreed by panel members. Every June, at the panel's regular meeting, the chief of police will appoint a chair and vice chair of the panel. The chair and vice chair positions will rotate annually.

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