The decades-long effort to bring civilian oversight to Nashville’s police force culminated in victory Tuesday night, as voters ratified a Metro charter amendment creating a community oversight board. The amendment passed with 58 percent of the vote.
This iteration of a movement that has ebbed and flowed in Nashville for the past 50 years grew out of the response to the fatal police shooting of Jocques Clemmons in February 2017. After the effort — led largely by black Nashvillians, and black women in particular — stalled at the Metro Council, a successful petition drive got the measure on the ballot. As the petition drive was ongoing, a second police shooting — that of Daniel Hambrick in July — brought additional attention to the measure. Then-Mayor Megan Barry opposed a community oversight board when it was first raised, although she expressed support for the idea more recently after resigning from the office. Mayor David Briley and Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson opposed the measure, which also faced a lawsuit and heavy opposition from the Fraternal Order of Police.
"I'm thankful for all of the people who have poured their hearts and souls into this, and who understand why we need a Community Oversight Board," said activist Gicola Lane from Community Oversight Now's watch party at the 909 Flats apartment complex. "We started off tonight by recognizing Jocques and Daniel for a reason. This is a moment of justice for everyone who has ever experienced police violence or police abuse in Nashville."
The board will be able to independently investigate allegations of misconduct by MNPD officers and issue reports assessing such allegations, as well as make policy recommendations. It will consist of 11 members: seven people — at least four of whom must live in “economically distressed communities” — nominated by community organizations or by private petition signed by 50 Davidson County residents; two people nominated by members of the Metro Council; and two people nominated by the mayor. All nominations for the board will require approval from a majority of the Metro Council. The amendment says the board will require an annual budget of no less than $1.5 million for staff and investigators.
"I have always asserted that civilian oversight is essential to ensuring that we have a 21st-century approach to policing," Briley said in a statement. "Thankfully best practices exist to help us chart a path forward, and I will do all I can to help ensure the Community Oversight Board is successful. The people of Nashville have spoken. As I’ve said all along, I will support this amendment, and I will start by meeting with involved parties as early as next week."
The board will not be able to unilaterally discipline or sanction officers, but it will have the power to compel testimony.
“This amazing team that has been working with us, I have mad love and respect for every single one of them," said Sheila Clemmons Lee, the mother of Jocques Clemmons. "They saw what I saw, and they didn’t give up. They have worked long hours, sleepless nights — they say I give them hope, but they give me hope.”
