PAB Bylaws

ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE

The Police Accountability Board (PAB) was established in 2014 whose purpose is to promote accountability, trust and communication between the University of California, Davis (UCD) community and the UCD Police Department (UCDPD) by independently reviewing and making recommendations regarding investigations of complaints made by members of the university community and the general public (also referred to as civilian complaints) in a fair and unbiased manner.

ARTICLE 2 – QUALIFICATIONS

PAB members and alternates must: (1) commit the necessary time throughout the year for PAB training and meetings; (2) prepare and read the appropriate materials in connection with making recommendations and (3) maintain ethical standards, including confidentiality. Members and alternates are encouraged to attend and participate in each meeting. Alternates only vote in meetings when the PAB member representing their entity is absent.

In order to ensure independence, no member or alternate of the PAB can be a current or former UC Davis Police Department employee or a current employee of Campus Counsel or the Compliance and Policy units of the Offices of the Chancellor and Provost.

ARTICLE 3 – COMPOSITION

The PAB shall be comprised of fourteen (14) total representatives with seven (7) members and seven (7) alternates who broadly represent the diversity of the UCD community. The seven (7) PAB members shall include:

  • Two (2) undergraduate students;
  • One (1) graduate student;
  • One (1) faculty member;
  • One (1) staff member and
  • Two (2) UCD Health members (who can be students, faculty or staff). 

The following entities may submit nominations for representation on the PAB:

  • Academic Federation
  • Academic Senate
  • Associated Students, UCD
  • Graduate Student Association
  • Staff Assemblies
  • Student Life
  • Office for Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence.

ARTICLE 4 – NOMINATIONS, SELECTION AND ALTERNATES

The entities identified in Article 3 may nominate representatives to the PAB, utilizing each entity’s respective nomination process. Each entity will be asked to provide at least two (2) nominees for each vacancy. The Office of Campus and Community Relations will review each entity’s nominations and make appointment decisions. The Office of Campus and Community Relations will appoint one (1) PAB member and one (1) alternate from the entities’ nominees, which will result in seven (7) PAB members and seven (7) alternates and maintain the composition identified above. All fourteen (14) representatives will participate in trainings and each can have access to the confidential investigation reports and attend meetings. 

ARTICLE 5 – TERMS

Initially, the inaugural PAB members and alternates served two- (2) year terms. In order to maintain institutional knowledge at the conclusion of the pilot, some members’ and alternates’ terms were extended, and former alternates were given the opportunity to serve as members. Beginning in 2016, new members and alternates generally serve two (2) year terms except in circumstances where the member or alternate will not be a qualifying representative of their entity for the entire term. For example, a student graduating mid-term or an employee retiring mid-term would not be eligible to serve for the entire two- (2) year term. To the extent possible, after the first year of a term, members will become alternates and alternates will become members, thereby allowing full participation on the PAB during the two-year term. The Office of Campus and Community Relations will work with the various entities to maintain both a member and an alternate representative and develop a pipeline of candidates in the event that a member or alternate can no longer serve on the PAB.

ARTICLE 6 – OFFICERS

As needed, the PAB shall elect one (1) of its members as the Chairperson and one (1) as the Vice-Chairperson (who shall preside only in the Chairperson’s absence). Officers shall be elected annually and hold office for one (1) year terms. Officers may be reelected to serve consecutive terms. The Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson will receive training on their roles, how to run meetings and the complaint review and voting process.

ARTICLE 7 – ETHICS

The PAB will be governed by the attached Code of Ethics, which is modeled on the Code of Ethics developed by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). 

ARTICLE 8 – REMOVAL

The appointment of any PAB representative who has been absent without excuse from three (3) consecutive regular or special meetings may result in termination effective after the third such absence. 

Any breach of the PAB’s Code of Ethics will be cause for review. The Office of Campus and Community Relations may remove a PAB member or alternate for cause, including transgressions of policy, confidentiality or ethical standards.

ARTICLE 9 – QUORUM AND VOTING

Five (5) members (that may include an alternate when their entity’s member is absent) shall constitute a meeting quorum. Decisions of the PAB shall be made by vote of a majority of the members in attendance provided that a quorum exists. Alternates only vote in meetings when the PAB member representing their entity is absent. Typically, meetings will be either in person or virtual. There may be limited circumstances where, in order to attain quorum, a hybrid option is available.

ARTICLE 10 – RECUSAL

PAB members must recuse themselves from a matter when (1) an actual conflict of interest exists; (2) there is an appearance of impropriety or (3) a member is concerned with whether they can participate objectively and in an unbiased manner.

ARTICLE 11 – TRAINING AND CONFIDENTIALITY COMMITMENTS

PAB members and alternates shall receive training developed by the Office of Campus and Community Relations regarding police procedures, relevant legal issues, impartiality, the confidential nature of police misconduct investigations and discipline and the civilian oversight field. PAB members may also have the opportunity to accompany members of the UCDPD on a ride along.

Each member shall execute a confidentiality agreement.

ARTICLE 12 – PAB POWERS AND DUTIES

The PAB will:

  1. Review relevant UCDPD policies and procedures and all investigation reports submitted regarding complaints made by members of university community and the general public against the UCDPD. The PAB will not review any complaints filed by UCDPD employees. 
  2. Solicit public input by holding regularly scheduled and advertised meetings at least quarterly, which shall include time for public comment. Additional meetings shall be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
  3. Run its meetings utilizing Roberts Rules of Order as a guide.
  4. Review and deliberate in closed session, consistent with applicable law, to protect the confidential nature of the complaints and investigation reports.
  5. Submit advisory recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding (1) UCDPD policies, procedures and training and (2) the findings of investigation reports. The PAB may also solicit progress reports from the Chief of Police regarding the PAB’s policy and training recommendations. The Chief of Police, however, retains full and final authority, discretion and responsibility regarding the ultimate disposition of the matter, including disciplinary determinations and whether to accept, reject or modify the PAB’s recommendations.
  6. Prepare an annual public report for the UCD community and the public as detailed further in Article 13.

ARTICLE 13 – REPORTING

In the interests of transparency and accountability, and in conformity with Penal Code section 832.7, the PAB shall issue an annual, public report detailing summary information and statistical data regarding the number of complaints filed, the type of complaints filed, analysis of trends or patterns, the ultimate disposition of the complaints (sustained, not sustained, exonerated or unfounded) and the percentage of complaints in which the recommendations of the PAB were either accepted, rejected or modified by the Chief of Police.

ARTICLE 14 – AMENDMENT

After consultation with the PAB, these bylaws and any amendments or supplements thereto may be adopted, amended, altered, supplemented or repealed by UCD.

8/2026