The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is looking for residents interested in joining the Police Community Advisory Board. Open enrollment officially began on Jan. 10, for PCAB Advisory Groups city-wide.
There is one board for each of the eight NOPD districts. PCAB members serve a 24-month term. Membership is open to all New Orleans residents 18 years old or older who are interested in volunteering in their respective police district.
Police Community Advisory Boards help NOPD to engage in a collaborative problem-solving process with the community to enhance public safety. The advisory boards are responsible for vetting community ideas/suggestions, working with NOPD to understand operations, processes, and challenges, and building consensus on priority items important to the community before submitting recommendations to NOPD for consideration. The boards also assist NOPD in recruitment efforts.
The group does not have any decision making authority, but will meet quarterly to achieve the following goals:
- Maintain a consistent partnership between the community and law enforcement;
- Serve to help reduce crime and enhance the quality of life for all citizens;
- Establish goals that can be accomplished through positive and open communications;
- Assist law enforcement in helping to maintain police standard for accountability;
- Create processes to help address issues of bias-based policing;
- Improve interaction between police and citizens through education and training; and
- Strengthen and ensure the application of equal protection under the law for all citizens.
For more information or to apply, please visit us at www.nola.gov/pcab.