At its monthly board meeting on May 26, 2021, the Community Oversight Board (COB) unanimously voted to approve the Policy Advisory Report on Metro Nashville Police Department Hiring Procedures. The report, created by Metro Nashville Community Oversight (MNCO), the support staff for the board, includes 11 recommendations for the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) regarding its hiring procedures for police officers.
The policy advisory report was initiated by the Board following a request by the NAACP to conduct a review of the Police Department's applicant background investigations. Community Oversight’s policy advisory report examines the criteria for background checks and how they are conducted in the recruitment process and the processes for investigating potential biases of recruits prior to employment by MNPD.
“We hope that Chief Drake will not only consider but implement the recommendations which will support and promote equity and diversity within the recruitment and hiring division and continue to address any persistent systemic and structural issues that may exist that have lifelong impact on our most marginalized and vulnerable community members,” says Executive Director Jill Fitcheard.
As stated in its charter, the board has the power to issue policy advisory reports and recommendations to agencies involved in public safety and the administration of justice in Nashville and Davidson County. The Board looks forward to collaborating with the Police Department on the implementation of its recommendations.
The approved version of the report, “Policy Advisory Report on Metro Nashville Police Department Hiring Procedures” can be found on the Community Oversight Board website.