Nashville Implements New MOU to Enhance Police Oversight, Strengthens Collaboration Between CRB and MNPD

A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the Metro Nashville Community Review Board (CRB) has been unanimously agreed upon, marking a new chapter in police supervision in Nashville. The document, which lays out guidelines for the civilian scrutiny of police operations, is the result of extensive cooperation between oversight and law enforcement. According to the Mayor’s office, the MOU became official on November 20th after the CRB approved it on November 18th.

Mayor Freddie O. Connell stated that he was confident the MOU will primarily foster collaboration between the MNPD and the CRB. He reformed the Civilian Review Board to conform to new state law and chose Jill Fitcheard as its director. In a statement that the mayor’s office was able to get, Mayor O. Connell stated, “I am happy to see a Memorandum of Understanding come to fruition. I maintained active dialogue with both our Community Review Board and the Metro Nashville Police Department.”

Several essential elements of this recently signed MOU are intended to improve communication and transparency. It highlights the participation of CRB members in MNPD’s Citizen Police Academy, requires quarterly meetings between MNPD Chief Drake and CRB Director Fitcheard, and outlines a mutually agreed-upon procedure for the CRB to get relevant papers and video footage. Additionally, the agreement enables the Department of Emergency Communications to swiftly notify the CRB of important occurrences.

CRB Director Jill Fitcheard said she was excited about the partnership. “We worked diligently to negotiate an agreement that gives us the ability to work alongside the police department to meet the expectations that are set before us,”Fitcheard told the Mayor’s office. MNPD Chief John Drake also offered his thoughts on the negotiations, saying he will sign the final MOU draft and that Assistant Chief Dwayne Greene and Deputy Chief Tommy Widener did a good job representing the department.

This MOU’s completion marks a significant milestone after Nashville citizens voted in 2018 to establish civilian supervision of their police department. The city’s dedication to accountability and the public’s faith in law enforcement are demonstrated by this progress. Following the final signatures on November 20, the MOU went into force right away, establishing a framework for collaboration that seeks to increase public trust in public safety.

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