ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE

The UCSB Police Advisory Board was initially established in 2019 by Chancellor Yang, who charged the PAB to “work collaboratively to enhance communication between the police department and the campus community, and to address issues involving the safety and well-being of our students, staff, faculty, and our community.” Following UC President Drake’s campus safety plan, UCSB transitioned to a Police Accountability Board (PAB) in 2022. In keeping with the aim the campus safety aims advanced by Chancellor Yang and President Drake, the purpose of the PAB is to promote accountability, trust, and communication between the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) community and the UCSB Police Department (UCSB PD) by independently reviewing and making recommendations regarding investigations of complaints made by members of the campus community and the general public (also referred to as civilian complaints) in a fair and unbiased manner. As part of these activities, the PAB is committed to assessing and evaluating the needs and concerns related to community safety, quality of life, and equity of experience among students, staff, and faculty at UCSB in order to identify needed changes in community safety resources to ensure equity in community safety.

ARTICLE 2 – QUALIFICATIONS

PAB members and alternates must: (1) commit the necessary time throughout the year for PAB training and meetings; (2) prepare and read the appropriate materials in connection with making recommendations; and (3) maintain ethical standards, including confidentiality. Other than mandatory quarterly meetings, alternates need not attend meetings or review investigation materials if the PAB member will be in attendance.

In order to ensure independence, no member or alternate of the PAB can be a current or former UC Santa Barbara Police Department employee, or a current employee of Campus Counsel or the Compliance and Policy Unit of the Offices of the Chancellor and Provost.

ARTICLE 3 – COMPOSITION

The PAB shall be comprised of eight (8) members who broadly represent the diversity of the UCSB community. The PAB shall include:

  • Three (2) undergraduate students;
  • Two (2) graduate students;
  • Two (2) faculty members;
  • Two (2) staff members;

The following entities may submit nominations for representation on the PAB:

  • Academic Senate (2 members)
  • Associated Students of UCSB (2 members)
  • Graduate Student Association (2 members)
  • Staff Assemblies (2 members)

ARTICLE 4 – NOMINATIONS, SELECTION AND ALTERNATES

The entities identified in Article 3 may nominate a representative to the PAB, utilizing each entity’s respective nomination process. Each entity will provide at least two (2) nominees. The Chancellor will select one (1) PAB representative and one (1) alternate from the entities’ nominees, which will result in four (4) PAB members and four (4) alternates and maintain the composition identified above. All eight (8) representatives will participate in training and each can have access to the confidential investigation reports and attend meetings.

ARTICLE 5 – TERMS

Initially, the inaugural PAB members and alternates served two- (2) year terms. In order to maintain institutional knowledge at the conclusion of the initial two- (2) year term, some members’ and alternates’ terms will be extended, and former alternates will be given the opportunity to serve as members. Beginning in 2025, new members and alternates generally serve two (2) year terms except in circumstances where the member or alternate will not be a qualifying representative of his or her entity for the entire term. For example, a senior graduating mid-term or a faculty member retiring mid-term would not be eligible to serve for the entire two- (2) year term. To the extent possible, after the first year of the term, members will become alternates and alternates will become members, thereby allowing full participation on the PAB during the two-year term.

The UCSB Leadership shall designate an administering body that will work with the various entities to maintain both a member and an alternate representative and develop a pipeline of candidates in the event that a member or alternate can no longer serve on the PAB.

ARTICLE 6 – OFFICERS

As needed, the PAB shall elect one (1) of its members as the Chairperson and one (1) as the Vice-Chairperson (who shall preside only in the Chairperson’s absence). Officers shall be elected annually and hold office for one (1) year terms. Officers, however, may be reelected to serve consecutive terms.

ARTICLE 7 – ETHICS

The PAB will be governed by the attached Code of Ethics, which is modeled on the Code of Ethics developed by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE).

ARTICLE 8 – REMOVAL

The appointment of any PAB member who has been absent from three (3) consecutive regular or special meetings shall automatically terminate effective on the third such absence.

Any breach of the PAB’s Code of Ethics will be cause for review. The EVC of Campus Administrative Services may remove a PAB member or alternate for cause, including transgressions of policy, confidentiality, or ethical standards.

ARTICLE 9 – QUORUM AND VOTING

Five (5) members physically present shall constitute a meeting quorum. Decisions of the PAB shall be made by vote of a majority of the members in attendance provided that a quorum exists. Alternates will only participate and vote in meetings when the PAB member representing their entity is absent.

ARTICLE 10 – RECUSAL

PAB members must recuse themselves from a matter when (1) an actual conflict of interest exists; (2) there is an appearance of impropriety; or (3) a member is concerned with whether he or she can participate objectively and in an unbiased manner.

ARTICLE 11 – TRAINING AND CONFIDENTIALITY COMMITMENTS

PAB members and alternates shall receive training developed by the Office of Administrative Services regarding police procedures, relevant legal issues, impartiality, the confidential nature of police misconduct investigations and discipline, and the civilian oversight field. PAB members will also have the opportunity to accompany members of the UCSB PD on a ride along. Each member shall execute a confidentiality agreement.

ARTICLE 12 – PAB POWERS AND DUTIES

The PAB will:

  1. Review relevant UCSB PD policies and procedures and all investigation reports submitted regarding complaints made by members of campus community and the general public against the UCSB PD. The PAB will not review any complaints filed by UCSB PD employees.
  2. Solicit public input by holding regularly scheduled and advertised meetings at least quarterly, which shall include time for public comment. Additional meetings shall be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
  3. Run its meetings utilizing Roberts Rules of Order as a guide.
  4. Review and deliberate in closed session, consistent with applicable law, to protect the confidential nature of the complaints and investigation reports.
  5. Submit advisory recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding (1) UCSB PD policies and procedures/training and (2) the findings of investigation reports. The PAB may also solicit progress reports from the Chief of Police regarding policy and training recommendations. The Chief of Police, however, retains full and final authority, discretion, and responsibility regarding the ultimate disposition of the matter, including disciplinary determinations and whether to accept, reject or modify the PAB’s recommendations.
  6. Prepare an annual public report for the UCSB community and the public as detailed further in Article 13.

ARTICLE 13 – REPORTING

In the interests of transparency and accountability, and in conformity with Penal Code section 832.7, the PAB shall issue an annual, public report detailing summary information and statistical data regarding the number of complaints filed, the type of complaints filed, analysis of trends or patterns, the ultimate disposition of the complaints (sustained, not sustained, exonerated or unfounded) and the percentage of complaints in which the recommendations of the PAB were either accepted, rejected or modified by the Chief of Police.

ARTICLE 14 – AMENDMENT

After consultation with the PAB, these bylaws and any amendments or supplements thereto may be adopted, amended, altered, supplemented or repealed by UCSB.