NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Another deadline quickly approaches to select members for Nashville's first-ever Community Oversight Board. Nominations were due Tuesday night, now city leaders are working to have the board running by the end of January.
For years, grassroots groups in the community have pushed for a board to be established.
Vice Mayor Jim Shulman said on Wednesday all 182 nominees will start to fill out a questionnaire pertaining to why they want to be on the board. The list of nominees include attorneys, former council members and the mother of Waffle House shooting victim Akilah DaSilva, Shaundelle Brooks.
Waffle House shooting hero, mother of officer-involved shooting victim nominated for COB
"All those folks need to take their time fill it out, but they have to get it in by Friday January 4," Shulman said.
After that deadline, Metro Council's Rules Committee will interview each nominee.
The final board will consist of 11 people: seven from community organizations or petitions, two from the Metro Council, and two from the Mayor's office. Mayor David Briley announced Phyllis Hildreth and Bob Cooper as his nominees earlier this week.
The group Community Oversight Now pushed for the board following the deaths of two black men, who were shot and killed by white Metro Police officers. The board will have the power to investigate allegations of officer. Member Gicola Lane has dreamt of having one in her city.
"We're excited that they were at least nominated. That's the step in the right direction and that this can actually work out the way Community Oversight Now planned on it. Actually having community members at the table when it comes to policy and policing in Nashville. We're looking forward to seeing the council approve diverse nominations from all sectors of the community," Gicola said.
The Metro Council is set to vote on nominees by the January 15 meeting however Shulman said he believed a special meeting may have to be called before that to address the board.
