The new body wouldn’t have the power to discipline officers but could gather complaints and information about misconduct and recommend reforms to city leadership. The proposal could be on the ballot for a referendum vote in November.
Buffalo Charter Revision Commission members Joseph Trapp, Norvella Pendergrass and Joel Moore. Photo: Joshua Thermidor.
Nearly every year in recent memory, Buffalo has blown its budget for settling lawsuits — usually as the result of police misconduct claims.
Last year, the city set a $4 million budget for settling such lawsuits and blew it by more than $3 million. And just days into the new fiscal year, settling new lawsuits has already cost taxpayers $80,000…