Police vs. Civilians: What will it take to establish an effective Police Civilian Review Board?

"Without true civilian oversight, all that remains is self-policing. And with self-policing, because of police culture, there is still too much room for police misconduct."

Police reform is complicated and fraught with tension, as Charlottesville's most recent attempt to form a Police Civilian Review Board as shown. For three years now that attempt has been characterized by disagreements and disputes between activists, the police chief, local police unions, the press, and City Council. As the Virginia General Assembly gets…