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222 2nd Ave. North
Nashville, TN 37201
Telephone: (615) 880-1800
Email: community@nashville.gov |
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Happy 1 Year Anniversary
MNCO officially hit ONE year as a department and taking investigations on April 1st!
Members of our staff are also celebrating one year with the department:
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Jill Fitcheard
Executive Director
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Todd Pinckley
Legal Advisor
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Henry Ramirez
Lead Investigator
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Vernon Johnson
Investigator
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April Williams
Investigator
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Paula Person
Administrative
Assistant |
Want to stay informed and get updates from MNCO & the COB?
In the News
 To read our news media releases,
click here.
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Note From Director
Hello everyone!
What unprecedented times we find ourselves. For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has become our daily focal point and getting back to the life we had before the onset of the virus seems like a faraway endeavor. The MNCO staff have been telecommuting since mid-March and that seems like such a long time ago. We were able to move quickly, with the assistance of Metro ITS, to protect the safety and health of our staff. The challenge was not being sure of the expectations and how to get our work done from home. For some of the staff, for example, the legal and research team, it was not a problem to pivot from office to home. However, for others, like the investigations team and community liaison, we had to spend considerable time working through the process and determining how telecommuting would affect our ability to reach community members in our specific roles.
Fast forward four months, now we have become champions of our fate.
We have successfully worked through Community Oversight Board meetings without any hiccups and was able to get down to the nuts and bolts of the issues that we face as it relates to our Memorandum of Understanding with Metro Nashville Police Department. We have responded to police officer-involved shootings, had numerous meetings with criminal justice stakeholders, attended community events virtually and in person, and have spent many hours discussing how to stay connected to the Nashville community while sheltering in place.
One of the things I am most proud of during this time is the dedication of the MNCO staff. Each staff member has shown that they are committed to the work of the COB and have been diligent with keeping our mission at the forefront. We have increased our presence on social media, drafted Standard Operating Procedures, conducted witness and complainant interviews, prepared multiple policy advisory reports, researched legal opinions, and responded to many community calls, emails and letters. I believe that we are moving in the right direction and are always open to ideas and feedback from our beloved Nashville community.
In recognition of our 1-year anniversary, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work and support of the Community Oversight Now coalition and the many organizations and community members that pushed for the creation of this agency. The dedication and tenacious determination to see the COB come into full realization is truly the result of masterful visionaries, collective organizing, and unwavering courage.
To the Nashville community—We see you, hear you, and are here to serve you.
In closing, I am thankful that I have this opportunity to lead the MNCO agency, and I don’t take it lightly. My hope as we move forward, whether virtually or in public (when it’s safe), is that you continue to support us by attending our meetings, follow us on our socials, email us, or call to stay in touch and informed. I look forward to connecting with you more, so please stay safe and healthy.
Truly,
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Jill Fitcheard
Executive Director
Metro Nashville Community Oversight
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Without the support, dedication and persistence of these community groups the COB & MNCO would not be celebrating one year in operation.
We would like to thank each of them for believing in the work that we do and in its importance to our community!
The COB was created through the dedicated organizing efforts of Nashville residents. Community Oversight Now is the grassroots coalition that spearheaded the campaign.
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On June 24, 2020, the COB voted to issue a policy advisory report on use of force policy recommendations for the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). The COB policy recommendations are based on the #8cantwait policy recommendations made by Campaign Zero as well as policies in place in other cities across the country.
Read the report in its entirety, here.
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MNCO Special Report: Arrests and the jail population in a time of crisis
Check out the full report, here. |
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In Davidson County, the jail population on March 15th was 2,110. By April
30th, the population had declined to 1,636, a 22% decrease in just over six weeks
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MNCO received 15 civilian complaints and began four force reviews in April, May, and June. |
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Policy Recommendations
Metro Nashville Community Oversight has two research analysts that conduct policy research and analysis. Policy advisory reports may review and investigate any aspect of the Davidson County Criminal Justice system. Reports consider insights from the fields of criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement theory, civil rights, and racial justice.
Our latest website updates include:
In the Community
 Though COVID-19 has put a hault to us being in the community, ED Fitcheard was able to attend North Nashville's Community Event on June 27th. She met with people in the community and was able to educate them about MNCO and the COB.
MDHA COVID-19 Testing Virtual Informational
On May 13, Executive Director Mel Fowler-Green of the Human Relations Commission and ED Fitcheard hosted a community event with ED Jim Harbison of MDHA to determine what was happening with the testing at MDHA properties. The community had the opportunity to ask ED Harbison questions and get more insight into the purpose of having the National Guard conduct COVID-19 testing of MDHA residents.
Equity Lens Webinar
On April 29, ED Fitcheard, Investigator April Williams and Community Liaison Brensey Thompson attended a virtual community webinar hosted by Metro Human Relations Commission. The event talked about what an "Equity Lens" is and what opportunities Nashville has to employ this tool.
We'd Love to Be A Part of Your Next Community Event
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Ways to
Support Us
 Continue reading our newsletters and stay up-to-date on our meetings, recommendations and reports on our website.
 If you have experienced or witness police misconduct or want to submit a Complaint or Commendations, contact our office online, by email at COBComplaints@nashville.gov or by calling our
24-Hour Complaint Line at (615) 880-1801. You can always stay anonymous.
 Share the work of our office widely so the community knows MNCO & the COB is a resource.
 Reach out to our community engagement team at community@nashville.gov to invite us to your virtual event or meeting.
 Share your ideas about police accountability in Nashville directly with your City Council Member. Find your council member here.
 Spark discussions with us on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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MNCO Staff
Jill Fitcheard, Executive Director
Chris Clausi, Assistant Director
Todd Pinckly, Legal Advisor
Henry Ramirez, Lead Investigator
Vernon Johnson, Investigator
April Williams, Investigator
Peter Vielehr, Lead Research Analyst
Liz Orozco, Research Analyst
Paula Person, Administrative Assistant
Brensey Thompson, Community Liaison
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COB Board Members
Jamel Campbell-Gooch
Ashlee Davis, Board Chair
Andrew Goddard
Dr. Phyllis Hildreth
Walter Holloway
Timothy Hughes
Dr. Adele Lewis
Andres Martinez, Vice Chair
Brenda Ross
Matt Sweeney
Shawn Whitsell
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