CITY OF RIVERSIDE
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
3900 Main Street, 7th Floor, Riverside, CA
(951) 826-5509 | Fax: (951) 826-2568 | RiversideCA.gov/CPRC
1 MISSION
The mission of the Community Police Review Commission is to promote public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the sworn staff of the Riverside Police Department (RPD). The CPRC accomplishes this mission by conducting an independent review of officer-involved death (OID) cases and citizen complaints. The CPRC or the CPRC Manager may request independent investigation services to obtain further information about OIDs or complaints. The CPRC may recommend changes in RPD policy and maintains community relationships through continuous public outreach efforts.
PURPOSE
The Mayor and City Council nominate and appoint all nine Commissioners of the CPRC. In order to fairly represent the City, that membership is distributed among all wards of the City. Commissioners serve four-year terms and may only serve two terms for a total of eight years. By ensuring an independent and thorough review of all OID and complaint cases brought before the Commission, the CPRC is able to advise the Mayor and City Council on all police and community relations issues. Case review findings and suggestions are also shared with the City Manager and Police Chief.
Although ensuring the Mayor and those mentioned above stay informed, the CPRC strives to make the greatest impact while serving the citizens of Riverside. The CPRC is tasked with ensuring good relations between the Riverside Police Officers and the community they serve. The Commission’s efforts serve to increase public trust in the Riverside Police Department. It seeks to provide the public with the assurance that any allegations of misconduct lodged against a sworn officer will be fairly and thoroughly reviewed.
Through public outreach efforts, the CPRC provides a forum whereby community members can express their opinions and seek answers about the Police Department. Complaints, concerns or suggestions can immediately be shared with the Police Chief and appropriate staff thereby improving the quality of service provided by the Police Department. In addition, the CPRC educates the public on the purpose of the Commission.
11 Figure 2 illustrates the 54 allegations logged from the 23 cases reviewed by the Commission. 96 COMPLAINT CASE REVIEW
In 2024 the Commission reviewed and closed a total of 23 complaint cases containing 54 allegations.
At years end, there were two cases with completed investigations remaining for the Commission to review.
“Reviewed” refers to the cases for which the Commission received the investigation case files and made findings in Closed Session review.
Below, Figure 1 identifies the cases reviewed in 2024 vs. the cases remaining for the Commission’s review by the end of 2024.
1 Figure 3 provides data comparing the complaint case findings of the 54 allegations reviewed by the Riverside Police Department (RPD) and Community Police Review Commission (CPRC). Each of the entities independently reach findings on allegations.
2024 COMPLAINT COMPARISON FINDINGS
RPD VS. CPRC
FINDINGS AND DISPOSITIONS OF PERSONNEL COMPLAINTS:
Sustained: When the investigation discloses sufficient e vidence t o e stablish t hat t he a ct o ccurred a nd t hat it constituted misconduct.
Not Sustained: When the investigation discloses that there is insufficient evidence to sustain the complaint or fully exonerate the employee.
Unfounded: When the investigation discloses that the alleged act(s) did not occur or did not involve department personnel.
Exonerated: When the investigation discloses that the alleged act occurred, but that the act was justified, lawful and/or proper.
Incomplete: A matter in which the complaining party either refuses to cooperate or becomes unavailable after diligent follow-up investigation. At the discretion of the assigned supervisor and the Internal Affairs Bureau, such matters need not be documented as personnel complaints, but may be further investigated, depending on the seriousness of the complaint and the availability of sufficient information.
Previous Administrative Review: A matter in which the actions of the employee(s) have been determined to be within policy in a previous Supervisor Administrative Review or other administrative investigation. If no further information is provided or discovered, beyond the facts already known at the time of the Previous Administrative Review, the Department supervisor, with approval of his or her commanding officer and the Internal Affairs Lieutenant, may classify the allegation with a finding of Previous Administrative Review.
Inquiry: If an uninvolved supervisor determines that a citizen is merely requesting clarification of a policy or procedure, or the alleged misconduct or improper job performance, even if true, would not constitute a violation of law or Department policy or procedure, the supervisor, with approval of his or her commanding officer and the Internal Affairs Lieutenant, may classify the matter as an inquiry and need not take a complaint.
Other Judicial Review: This classification is intended to address two types of complaints: Civil Matters or Court Proceedings.
Frivolous: Complaints that are totally and completely without merit, or which are made for the sole purpose of harassing a police employee may be classified with a finding of Frivolous as approved by the Internal Affairs Lieutenant or a chief officer.
3 CASE FINDING VARIATIONS
Of the 54 allegations reviewed, 12 case findings between the Riverside Police Department and the Community Review Commission varied.
OFFICER-INVOLVED DEATH(S) (OID)
The Riverside City Charter defines the ability of the Community Police Review Commission to review and investigate officer-involved deaths. Charter Section 810, empowers the Commission “to review and investigate the death of any individual arising out of or in connection with actions of a sworn police officer, regardless of whether a complaint regarding such death has been filed.” Immediately upon the death of a person arising out of or in connection with the actions of a sworn police officer, a criminal investigation commences. The Riverside Police Department (RPD) conducts the criminal investigation, which includes gathering physical evidence, obtaining statements from involved parties and witnesses, and gathering reports from all involved officers.
Information regarding OID cases can be found on the Commission’s website below:
RiversideCA.gov/CPRC.
In 2024, the Commission evaluated two officer-involved death cases.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
The Community Police Review Commission office receives complaints, inquiries, and communications associated with police matters by phone, letter or email. During the calendar year 202 4, three emails, and 27 voicemails were received. Disposition of the contacts identified 12 of the messages received were associated with Riverside Police Department, of which one resulted in complaint submissions.
2024 COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION
Norma Berrellez, Chair, Ward 6
Eileen Teichert, Vice Chair, Citywide
City Support Staff:
Ruby Leann Castillo, CPRC Manager - Daisy Gastelum, CPRC Secretary - Frank Hauptmann, CPRC Consultant Vacant, Ward 1
Vacant, Ward 2
Bobby Garcia, Ward 5
Charles Dillon, Ward 7
Violet Gutierrez, Citywide
Vacant, Ward 3
Phil DeBrier, Ward 4
1 TRAINING, SEMINARS & CONFERENCES
Training presentations are generally conducted during the open session of the Commission’s Regular Meetings and the public is encouraged to attend. Commissioners also attend training classes and seminars outside Regular Meeting training presentations. The following list includes, but is not limited to, training presentations, seminars and/or conferences that the Commission and/or Commissioner(s) took part during 2024:
• Taser Use
• De-escalation Techniques and Process
• DUI Traffic Investigation
• PSET Training
• Information Technology
COMMISSION OUTREACH
The Commission continues to maintain its Mission and Purpose through ongoing Community outreach efforts. The Commission’s objective is to promote harmony, trust, and confidence between the residents of Riverside and the Riverside Police Department. Commissioners and staff continue to attend a wide range of meetings and events in efforts to enhance community cohesiveness and communication between the citizens of Riverside and the sworn police personnel serving the public.
The Commission’s 2024 outreach activities included:
• RPD Ride-Along
• Deaf Festival
• National Night Out
• Civil Rights Institute Events
• Nacole Conference
• Community Meetings
• Riverside Police Department Swearing in
Ceremonies
• Board and Commissions Banquet
• Chief's Luncheon
WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Complaints may be submitted:
• In-Person at City Hall - 3900 Main Street • Riverside, CA (7th Floor) • By Phone (951) 826-5509
• Online at riversideca.gov/cprc or by scanning the QR Code to the right
CASE REVIEW
As part of the case review process, Commissioners review documents, audio files, and video files related to officer complaints and officer involved death cases. Over the 2024 calendar year, Commissioners contributed over 385 hours of time reviewing documents and files.
• Board and Commission Training
• City Clerk’s Office - Nuts and Bolts Training
for Chairs and Vice Chairs
• Shoot/Don't Shoot Scenarios
• Best Practices for conducting Traffic Stops