Columbia Citizens Police Review Board no longer wants meetings televised

The Columbia Citizens Police Review Board that handles police complaints wants to keep its meetings off TV and the internet.

The board will bring this request to the city council Monday night after a 7-2 vote among the board last week.

Chairman James Martin told ABC 17 News it’s about protecting the process.

He said the seven that voted in favor feel that televising the meetings might keep people from giving the board their opinions or complaints, which is the purpose of the board.

The meetings are a place for people outside the department to talk about public complaints against CPD officers for actual or perceived misconduct.

All meetings are broadcasted on the city website and anyone can watch.

In a phone interview, Martin said only he and board member Jerry Kennett voted against the issue.

He said he thinks citizens should stand up for their opinions regardless of whether its televised or not.