Civilian board launches in Newark to investigate police

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has signed an executive order to officially create a police civilian complaint review board.

The board will have the power to investigate complaints of misconduct by city police, including excessive use of force, abuse of authority, unlawful arrests and using offensive language.

It will have the power to recommend actions to the city's police director. The nine-member board will be appointed by the mayor and city council.

Baraka announced plans for the review board in January, six months after the U.S. Justice Department said it would appoint a federal monitor to oversee the police department after its three-year investigation revealed systemic misconduct and a lack of accountability.

The creation of a review board was one of the terms agreed to by the city after the Justice Department review.

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