Cambridge Councilors Question Police Oversight Board’s Effectiveness as Leaders Cite Structural Problems

Cambridge city councilors questioned the effectiveness of the city’s civilian police review board Tuesday, citing its record of substantiating just seven of 104 complaints since 2013 as board leaders argued that structural issues have hampered its operations.

The Police Review and Advisory Board — a five-member civilian panel that reviews complaints against the Cambridge Police Department — appeared before the Council’s Public Safety Committee as the city considers changes to the board’s structure and authority.

City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05 is pushing to review and update the ordinances governing the city’s roughly 50 boards and commissions, including PRAB, according to an October report.

PRAB’s founding ordinance, established in 1984, allows it to hire independent investigators and interview witnesses. But since 2004, the board has largely relied on CPD’s Professional Standards Unit to conduct investigations — an arrangement that PRAB Executive Director Carolina Almonte said prevents the board from fulfilling its intended role.

Almonte called the board’s reliance on the PSU a “gap between its written authority and everyday practice” and proposed moving to a hybrid investigative model.

The board has also struggled to meet quorum, further delaying complaint hearings.

Under its ordinance, PRAB is required to investigate complaints within 10 days, but the board has taken far longer in recent years. In 2025, it typically took around 110 days to discuss a complaint.

David Canavan, who was appointed to PRAB in September, said he wants the revised ordinance to establish more realistic deadlines.

“I struggle with when we establish a standard and a code and then don’t meet it. I prefer we just change the standard then and meet that standard,” Canavan said.

PRAB met just five times in 2025, struggling to maintain a consistent schedule after the sudden departure of former Executive Director Brian Corr disrupted its operations in October 2024. Corr was placed on paid leave by the city before formally leaving the position in June 2025, when Almonte permanently took the helm.

Even when PRAB substantiates a complaint, its formal authority is limited to recommending action to CPD. Canavan said the board would need greater authority to play a more active role in police oversight, noting that it currently serves only in an advisory capacity to acting Police Commissioner Pauline E. Wells.

“As you talk about different kinds of complaints, it’s really her authority and the council’s authority and the city manager’s authority that all of those entities can choose or not choose to delegate to PRAB any of those authorities, but without them, our role is very clearly defined,” Canavan said.

Councilor Patricia M. “Patty” Nolan ’80 said the board has long struggled to fulfill its oversight responsibilities. According to data released by PRAB, it has substantiated just seven of the 104 complaints received since 2013.

“It’s pretty clear from all the reporting in the last 10 years, that PRAB was not functioning the way it should have,” Nolan said.

Councilor Marc C. McGovern questioned the board’s efforts to publicize its role, suggesting that CPD officers carry cards directing residents to PRAB if they wish to file a complaint.

“If someone’s having an issue, that they can give someone a card and say, ‘if you want to file a complaint, this is how you do it, or this is where you go,’” McGovern said.

Almonte acknowledged the board’s shortcomings in public outreach but said expanding its visibility would be a priority over the next year. She suggested tabling at community events and hosting town halls to encourage more residents to engage with the board.

—Staff writer Shawn A. Boehmer can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at shawnb.18. Follow him on X @ShawnBoehmer.

—Staff writer Claire A. Michal can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at ClaireMichal.154.