Here's the release:
Thursday, September 9, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES REMAINING APPOINTMENTS TO THE POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION
Philadelphia, September 9, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller announced the final members of the Police Advisory Commission. The Commission, created by Executive Order 8-93 under then-Mayor Ed Rendell in 1993, establishes an official civilian oversight agency for the Philadelphia Police Department. As a member of City Council at the time, Mayor Nutter was instrumental to creation of the Commission. Mayor Nutter appointed the first eight members and two alternative members of the reconstituted Commission in April of 2010. The remaining seven members and two associate members were selected by the Mayor from a list of 21 nominees presented to him by City Council. The Council's Committee on Public Safety, led by Councilwoman Miller, held public hearings for applicants and submitted its recommendations to the Committee of the Whole. The newly constituted Commission will hold its first meeting on September 15th.
"I am pleased to announce the remaining members of the Police Advisory Commission," said Mayor Nutter. "With the Commission now fully staffed, I am confident it will resume its important work as an independent check on the City's police force, just as I intended it to be more than 15 years ago when I introduced the idea as Councilman."
Councilwoman Miller intends to introduce legislation that would place the Commission in the City Charter, ensuring that the civilian oversight function will continue regardless of mayoral support.
"Today, if you look at the Advisory Commission's newest members, you will see a very diverse group of men and women who are committed to fostering understanding and tolerance between Philadelphia citizens and the Police Department," said Councilwoman Miller.
The Commission consists of 15 members and 4 alternate members. Eight members and two alternate members are appointed directly by the Mayor and the other seven members and two associate members are selected by the Mayor from a list of 21 nominees presented to him by City Council. Of these members, eight are appointed to a four-year term and seven are asked to serve a two-year term.
In its role as an oversight board, the Commission advises the Managing Director and Police Commissioner and assists the Police Department in its mission to better serve the Philadelphia community. The Commission has full discretion in its selection of issues and events to review and City officials must ensure that all relevant agencies cooperate with the Commission's investigations to the extent possible in the performance of their duties.
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Mayor's Appointments to the Commission:
Muhammad Abdul-Aleem, Teacher, Thomas FitzSimons Young Men's Leadership School (ALTERNATE)
Bishop Audrey Bronson, Pastor and Founder of the Sanctuary Church of the Open Door and the first woman to head the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity.
Veronica Castillo-Perez, Director of Raices Culturales
Joe Garcia, Temple University Police Captain
Ronda Goldfine, Director, AIDS Law Project
Mu'min Islam, Attorney and Adjunct Professor at Temple University's Fox School of Business;
Edward Kung, retired Cigna executive who serves on several non-profit boards
Joseph Meade, Director of Government and Public Relations at the School District of Philadelphia;
Natalia Salgado, Mid-Atlantic Political Director, SEIU (ALTERNATE)
Charles Volz, Attorney and Adjunct Professor at the University of the Sciences.
New Appointments to the Commission, Recommended by Council and Selected by the Mayor:
Rachel Branson, Associate, Schnader Harrison
Jamira Burley, Temple University Student (ALTERNATE)
Robert Cavanaugh, Retired (former Chicago Police Officer; retired, FBI Agent; retired Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
Mujeeb Chaudhary, Pharmacist
James C. Crumlish, III, Attorney at Elliott Greenleaf
Sheryl Haynes, Marketing & Events Consultant
Edward James, Jr., retired, Philadelphia Police Officer, first African American officer of the FOP
Andrea Nicole Phillips, Career Counselor, Temple University School of Law (ALTERNATE)
Joi C. Spraggins, Owner, Legacy Pathways Consulting