SEAL BEACH : Police Review Panel Criticized by Chief

Police Chief Bill Stearns issued a statement Monday criticizing a proposed Citizens Complaint Advisory Panel that would review alleged police abuses.

Several residents banded together earlier this month to form an unofficial panel to review complaints against police, and the City Council is scheduled next month to debate whether to incorporate it as an official part of city government.

Stearns said in his written statement that he believes that “the need for such a committee is in question” and that he has “concerns about the negative impacts such a committee could have on the ability of a manager to properly supervise department personnel.”

He also expressed worry that such a panel might “politicize the process of police administration and supervision of personnel” and that it “could be used as an instrument for personal vendettas rather than as an unbiased and professional investigative body.”