The Citizen Police Complaint Commission
The Citizen Police Complaint Commission (CPCC) is one of six chartered commissions established to provide feedback and input to the City Manager, Mayor, and City Council on specified matters. The CPCC investigates allegations of police misconduct and reviews the service provided by members of the Long Beach Police Department. Like all commissions, the CPCC provides a rewarding opportunity for Long Beach residents to be directly involved in serving our community. Commissioners provide a valuable insight into the community’s perception of and experience with members of the Long Beach Police Department.
The CPCC is neither an advocate for the complainant nor for the police personnel. Their findings can result in the accused personnel being disciplined, trained or exonerated. The Commission cannot, however, recommend discipline or penalty. While the Commission does not set policy, its findings have resulted in policies being changed or clarified to best serve the community.
Police Oversight Director Recruitment
The City is partnering with the executive recruiting firm Wendi Brown Creative Partners (WBCP), a minority and women-owned firm, to conduct the search on behalf of the City Council. As part of the recruitment process, the City encouraged community members to share their recommendations on desirable qualities and characteristics they want to see in a Director by completing an online survey.
Community members also provided feedback in person and virtually at a virtual community meeting on July 12, 2023 and at the July 25, 2023 Public Safety Committee meeting:
- Virtual Community Meeting: Held on Wednesday, July 12, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Notes will be posted soon).
- Public Safety Committee Meeting: Tuesday, July 25, at 3 p.m. - Expo Arts Center located at 4321 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807.
Transition from The Citizen Police Complaint Commission to The Office of Police Oversight and Police Oversight Commission
At the Dec. 6, 2022, meeting, the Long Beach City Council approved with a six to zero vote the authorization to begin a phased transition of the Citizen Police Complaint Commission (CPCC) to the new Police Oversight Commission under provisions of the voter-approved Measure E Charter Amendment that was passed by Long Beach voters in the November 2022 mid-term election.
Effective Jan. 1, 2023, new police complaints will solely be filed with the Internal Affairs Division of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) for investigation, consistent with their primary authority for investigations as outlined in Measure E. The City anticipates approximately six to 12 months to fully implement the new Office of Police Oversight, which includes the establishment of the Police Oversight Commission, recruiting and staffing, operational procedures, and completion of a meet and confer process regarding staff duties that may be impacted by the new structure. During the transition, the CPCC will continue to accept police complaints filed through Dec. 31, 2022, and will continue investigating the backlog of existing police complaints until the new Office of Police Oversight is established and a Director of Police Oversight is recruited and onboarded. Once the CPCC completes their investigations of the backlogged complaints, then the CPCC will no longer oversee allegations of police misconduct.
To file a complaint, community members can download a complaint form on the LBPD website and email Internal.Affairs@longbeach.gov, call the Internal Affairs Division at 562.570.7343, or call the LBPD main line at 562.570.7236.
For more information on the transition process, click here.
The Citizen Police Complaint Commission History
On April 10, 1990 the Long Beach electorate amended the City’s Charter to include Sections 1150-1155, which established the Citizen Police Complaint Commission (CPCC). The amendment grants the CPCC authority to receive, administer and investigate, through an Independent Investigator, allegations of police misconduct with emphasis on excessive force, false arrest, and complaints with racial or sexual overtones.
In August 1990, the City Council nominated and Mayor Ernie Kell appointed the first eleven Commissioners, who were sworn in shortly afterward. They received orientation and extensive training to perform their duties. The first meeting was held September 5, 1990.
In January 1991, the Commission adopted its By-Laws and Policies and Procedures for processing complaints and conducting business. To a great extent, this initial year was a period of adjustment to a delicate, sensitive and independent function of government in the city of Long Beach.
The CPCC’s practices and procedures continue to evolve to enhance efficiencies while maintaining the integrity of operations and trust from our city partners and community. The Commission encourages an atmosphere of positive police community relations via appropriate transparency, accountability, mutual respect and strive for fair treatment in all aspects of law enforcement within Long Beach.
