Group pushing for citizens on Baltimore officer trial boards

BALTIMORE —One of the issues stalling negotiations over a new Baltimore Police Department union contract is the issue of officer trial boards and whether civilians should have a say in discipline cases.

A citizens group is planning a rally for this week in front of City Hall.

Following Freddie Gray's death and the riots and unrest in Baltimore last year, lawmakers in Annapolis, as part of a package of police reform laws, allowed civilians to be members of trial boards for police officer discipline.

In Baltimore, that can only happen if the police union agrees to reverse a provision in its contract with the city that does not allow citizens to review such cases.

"They've policed themselves and we know they can't police the city well, let alone police themselves, so at this point in time, we are looking for change," activist Kim Trueheart said.

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