Champaign Police Review Board Chair: Urbana Police Gave “Slipshod Review” of Violent Arrest

“I witnessed a poor review of police conduct at last week’s City Council meeting”

A publicly presented “review” by Urbana Police Chief Bryant Seraphin and Lt. Jason Norton at the April 27^th, 2020 Urbana City Council meeting has begun to draw more public scrutiny than the violent arrest that prompted it. The Urbana Police review (article here) was executed with such bias and disregard for responsible investigating, that a number of citizens publicly called for Chief Seraphin’s resignation at the following City Council meeting.

Among those who attended the May 4^th, 2020 Urbana City Council meeting to express their dissatisfaction with the performance of the Urbana Police Department, was the Chair of the Champaign Citizen Review Subcommittee, Emily Rodriguez. Rodriguez has handled the review of complaints against the Champaign Police Department for nearly 3 years. She had never spoken at an Urbana Council meeting before, but felt compelled to participate after witnessing Urbana’s presentation:

“I have reviewed the body camera footage that was available in that meeting, and the videos made available by bystanders. I found no reason for the City Council to be satisfied with the professionalism shown by the officers in that video.”

“The public is not well-served by a review that does not ask informed questions. The review then becomes a theater of accountability. Officers presenting the findings of an investigation might make choices and framing that persuade the viewer, and the viewer is none the wiser. I witnessed a poor review of police conduct at last week’s City Council meeting. City Council members are not trained to review complaints. It is my understanding that City Council members met in pairs with the Lieutenant and the Police Chief in preparation for that meeting. Here you reviewed body and dash cam footage and had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss procedures. There were no interviews of bystanders made available to you. The same footage was presented at the City Council meeting of some, but not all officers at the scene. Again, you are not briefed in UPD policy.”

Rodriguez suggested that the “slipshod review” by Seraphin and Norton likely inflicted lasting damage to the City and the relationship between Urbana residents and their police department:

“The unfortunate outcome of that slipshod review, likely discouraged future complainants from coming forward, and gave no reason for Urbana Police Officers to reach a little higher, and improve their professionalism. Finally, it is not the City’s job to defend City government. It is the City’s job to serve the public.”

Though Rodriguez was, in regards to police conduct, certainly the most experienced and qualified person to attend the meeting, no Urbana Council member recognized her, responded to her points, or asked her any questions.