MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A group fighting for change and holding people accountable isn’t showing up to their own meetings to do so.
CLERB, the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board, which hears complaints from the public against Police Officers cancelled their meeting Thursday because not enough members showed up.
That left the citizens who showed up in the dark.
Four out of 12 members showed up.
The chairman cancelled the meeting because he said they needed seven to have a quorum and everyone needs to be on the same page.
“We need folks that are willing to show up and do their part,” said Paul Garner with the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center.
He was one of many that fought tooth and nail last year to get CLERB re-instated.
It faced opposition but ultimately City Council reinstated the citizen controlled review board of law enforcement.
Garner called Thursday afternoon disappointing.
“We know there are some really committed folks that have expressed a desire to serve on the board so if we’ve got folks that aren’t showing up to these meetings I think it calls into question their commitment,” he said.
WREG asked Chairman Ralph White why the large number of board members were missing.
“Many of the members here are new members and we were supposed to swear in two new members today and I think it’s a matter of getting schedules. Two p.m. was good for the previous board,” he said.
White said CLERB is made up of volunteers with various professions throughout the city, who have varying schedules.
After Thursday they will be re-evaluating.
“I think next week they need to understand its mandatory they be here so we can get together on when is good to meet,” he said.
Right now CLERB meets every second Thursday of the month.
They have a special meeting this upcoming Tuesday where they will discuss a potential new time to start having their meetings.