Today, members of the Providence City Council, led by Ward Nine Councilman Miguel Luna, announced that they will introduce a resolution creating a “Special Committee to Study and make Amendments to PERA” at this Thursday’s City Council meeting.
The Providence External Review Authority (PERA) was established by Council Ordinance in 2002 to provide for a system of civilian oversight for the Providence Police Department. PERA investigates and conducts hearings concerning allegations of misconduct on the part of police officers.
“PERA’s goals are very important to the quality of life in Providence, but there are questions as to how effectively and efficiently it has achieved those goals,” said Luna. “In creating this committee, we hope to address those concerns and bring about a new and improved PERA.”
The committee will be charged with examining and reviewing PERA’s operating budget, personnel, and regulations, as well as the ordinance that established PERA and will report its findings and recommendations to the City Council within 90 days of the resolution’s passage.
Luna stressed that this resolution has broad support on the Council, with ten of the fifteen councilmembers officially co-sponsoring. “The Council strongly supported the creation of PERA six years ago and strongly supports it today, but we also understand that it is our duty as public servants to ensure that the City runs as efficiently as possible,” said Luna.
The resolution will be considered Thursday, April 16th, at the 7 pm City Council meeting.
