A group of citizens that review allegation of police misconduct in Charlotte has sided with officers in all 78 cases since it was established 15 years ago.
The Charlotte Observer reports (http://bit.ly/12W1Nt5 ) that citizens have to meet an unusually high standard just to get a hearing before the 11-member volunteer board. The Citizens Review Board has granted only four hearings since it was established in 1997.
The Charlotte School of Law is studying the board. Professor Jason Huber says the rules make it almost impossible for a citizen to win. Along with high evidence standards, the board can only look at cases after they have been investigated internally by police.
Citizens Review Board Chairman Gregory West denies that the board favors police. He says they listen to every case carefully.
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