"'People Should Vote On Advisory Board'," Demorat & Chronicle, April 22, 1965
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"'People Should Vote On Advisory Board'," is a letter to the editor written by Russell C. Sciolino of the city. It was published in the Democrat & Chronicle on April 22, 1965. Russell is proud "of our boys" but the Police Advisory Board ties the hands of the officers behind their backs. He wants a referendum on whether to keep the board or not. He reminds us that "Their lives are always in danger trying to protect everybody." The clipping can be found at the Local History Department of the Monroe County Library Downtown Branch.
While the Police Advisory Board became law on March 26, 1963 to address complaints against officers who used "excessive and unnecessary force" against civilians, the Locust Club police union did everything in its power to thwart it from actually accomplishing anything. Two injunctions were slapped on it by the court preventing it from conducting independent investigations and forwarding recommendations to the chief of police--it's primary functions. By the mid-1960s, new appointments to the board were needed to meet quorum in order for it to do its work. But neither Democrats nor Republicans appointed anyone to the board after it was found constitutional by the courts in 1969. It was then defunded and abolished in 1970 by the new Republican Party-lead Rochester city government.
