East Rock To CRB: Please Parse This Sentence

Ann Tramontana-Veno wanted to know just what this phrase means: ​“Have the ability to pass ethics commission review for conflicts of interest.”

That is the fifth of five qualifications noted on the official nomination form for those people interested in tossing their hat in the ring to be chosen to join the evolving new version of the city Civilian Review Board (CRB) aimed at monitoring allegations of police misbehavior.

After Tramontana-Veno spoke, there was a moment of silence around the table.

“That’s a loaded sentence,” she said.

That interlude occurred at the monthly meeting of the East Rock Community Mangement Team (ERCMT), convened in the community room of mActivity Fitness Center on Nicoll Street.

About two dozen people gathered for a regular agenda, including learning about the nominating process for the 15 members of the new CRB.

After a decades-long struggle, in early January the alders passed legislation creating a more powerful CRB charged under a new ordinance ​“to monitor, review, and conduct independent investigations of civilian complaints of police misconduct by police officers.” It will have access to the same files available to the police department’s internal affairs division. It will hire independent investigators to conduct probes, and make recommendations to the chief based on the findings.

Of the 15 members, a dozen are to come through the community management teams situated within the city’s police districts. Two will be at large, and one is to be chosen by the Board of Alders.

Anybody can nominate themselves or the management team can put forth its favored candidates. All names are to be forwarded to the mayor, who compiles the roster of choices by May 9. Then she submits the list to the alders for final approval.

At issue Monday night was the fifth of the items under the headline ​“Qualifications of the CRB Member Role.”

The full five requirements are:

• Be a resident of New Haven with a commitment to civic and community affairs
• Have an awareness of the history of and current issues with police misconduct/violence in New Haven
• Be available for required meetings (listed above) and engage in training on critical issues
• Have excellent communication skills and demonstrate capacity for conflict resolution
• Have the ability to pass ethics commission review for conflicts of interest.

Tramontana-Veno, who represented the ERCMT on the previous CRB incarnation, asked for an explanation of that fifth qualification.

”’ Conflicts refers to your not being a policeman,” said policing activist Chris Garaffa of the ANSWER coalition.

What about ​“passing an ethics commission”? another audience member pressed Garaffa.

He said he wasn’t sure. He and others around the table suggested it would be just the simple one-page disclosure form — largely to see if there might be financial conflicts — that anyone who joins any other city commission or board must fill out.

He wasn’t 100 percent sure. Might it refer to a more stringent screening, given the gravity of the potential CRB member’s responsibilities?

“So if someone really wants to know what ​‘ethics’ [commission review] means, how would they?” asked East Rock neighbor Paul Wessel.

“It’s a simple one-page thing, financial concerns,” said Alder Steve Winter.

Expressing a note of frustration, Wessel pressed: ​“Where can Ann get a specific answer?”

“I’ll call the mayor’s office and get back to you,” said Garaffa.

Garaffa offered this update via email to the Independent on Wednesday:

“Basically the ethics review would be just that — a review for conflicts of interest regarding whether the nominee, for example, could achieve personal financial gain from an appointment to the position for themselves or their family members or business associates.

“The process is based on Section 125/8 – 5 of the City Code, which you can also find here.”