Narberth Borough Police Advisory Committee—Call for Applicants

July 19, 2022

In May 2022, Narberth Borough Council established a citizens’ advisory committee to review, research, analyze, discuss and make recommendations to the Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee on public safety and policing practices, services, and policies within the Borough of Narberth. The Borough now seeks applicants for this new committee. Deadline for submissions is August 10, 2022.

Membership:

The Narberth Borough Police Advisory Committee shall consist of five (5) members who shall be appointed by Narberth Borough Council. Members of the Committee shall serve staggered terms of three years, except that the terms of the initial members shall be for one year, two years, three years, four years, and five years. Annually thereafter, Borough Council shall appoint members to the Committee for a term of three years. The Chairperson of the Committee shall promptly notify Borough Council of any vacancies on the Committee, and such vacancy shall be filled by Borough Council for the unexpired term.

The membership of the Police Advisory Committee shall include at least one of each of the following while such organizations are in existence: a Narberth Business Association member, a member of the Anti-Racism Coalition of Narberth, and a member who has obtained CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) certification from the International CPTED Association, or is willing to obtain such certification, to an extent deemed acceptable to Borough Council.

The members of the Police Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for expenses necessary to carry out the objectives of the Committee when those expenses are deemed necessary and appropriate and have been approved by Borough Council.

Purposes and Duties:

The purpose of the Police Advisory Committee is to assist Borough Council in serving the community by helping to improve the relationship between the Narberth Police Department and the community. The Committee is strictly advisory in nature and has no decision-making authority. Rather, the Police Advisory Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Borough Public Health and Safety Committee regarding issues concerning public safety and police services within the Borough of Narberth. The Borough Public Health and Safety Committee may utilize the Police Advisory Committee to:

A. Enhance police-community relations;

B. Facilitate community perspective and recommendations concerning police procedures, programs, training, use of technology and the effectiveness of police services;

C. Promote public awareness of the Borough’s police services and programs including business and residential community safety, crime prevention and general police activities;

D. Serve as a liaison between the Police Department and the Narberth Borough citizens;

E. Review significant community issues and make recommendations regarding potential resolutions, programs, policies, and standards;

F. Assist in community outreach efforts regarding police department policies and programs

G. Encourage individuals and community groups to assist the Police Department in the implementation of police programs and services;

H. Assist with the budget process through review, program evaluation, and priority recommendation;

I. Determine whether there are historical, institutional or systemic policies, practices, training materials or procedures that can lead to the disparate (unequal) treatment of persons of color or have a disparate impact on communities of color;

J. Review and make recommendations on consultants and training materials that could be used for police officers regarding the history of race relations in the United States that also would address the potential for unconscious bias or stereotypes in policing; and

K. Review and make recommendations concerning other matters as may be referred to the Committee, from time to time, by the Chief of Police, Borough Manager, Mayor, Borough Public Health and Safety Committee, and Borough Council.

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest to Samantha Bryant, Borough Manager at sbryant@narberthpa.gov, deadline for submissions is August 10, 2022.