U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Coping with Police Misconduct in West Virginia: Citizen Involvement in Officer Disciplinary Procedures A Review of Existing Law, Legislative Initiatives, and Disciplinary Models

West Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

January 2004

This report of the West Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was prepared for the information and consideration of the Commission. Statements in this report should not be attributed to the Commission, but only to the participants at the town meetings, other individuals or documents cited, or the Advisory Committee.

Contents

About the Commission

West Virginia Advisory Committee Members

Letter of Transmittal

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Police Misconduct An Ongoing Problem and the Disciplinary Procedures to Address It

Chapter 3: Attempts by the West Virginia House of Delegates and the Cities of Bluefield and Charleston to Reform Existing Police Officer Review and Disciplinary Structure

Chapter 4: Alternative Models for Police Disciplinary Procedures

Appendices