City Organization Structure.
The chief of police reported to the mayor of Richmond.
In addition, the city had formed a merit commission, one of several advisory boards appointed to assist various city departments and agencies.
The merit commission met once a month to review items related to the police department.
Formally, one of its purposes was to provide a court of appeals for officers when problematic situations arose.
This group also was intended to serve as a link between the community and the police department in order to resolve procedural and policy department in order to resolve procedural and policy issues when complaints arose.
In addition, the commission was charged with overseeing the department's performance review and promotion system.
There was some ambiguity, changes, as to whether the merit commission's role was strictly advisory or one of broader authority.
In an op ed piece written by Mayor Andrews for the Palladium-item, he suggested that organizational changes might require the approval of the merit commission.
The merit commission was accountable to the mayor's office and not to the police chief.