Council to review Citizens Police Advisory Board structure; legal counsel urges appointments continue

Billings police staff reminded the City Council on March 16 that the Citizens Police Advisory Board remains a legally established body after the council renewed it on Sept. 22, 2025, and that council has an obligation to appoint members or formally change the boards structure.

Police staff said the advisory board provides civilian perspective on recruitment, retention and policy and is advisory in nature. Council member Bill Kennedy asked to refer the question of the boards structure and future to the organizational operational committee, and he proposed taking the matter off the work-session agenda while that review occurs. The citys legal counsel advised that, because the board currently exists by resolution, appointments should continue until the council completes a formal action to discontinue it.

Council agreed to send the topic to the committee on committees and the operations committee for review, with staff noting the committee of committees and operations committee will consider the boards future prior to any resolution to discontinue or restructure it. No appointment votes or formal changes were made at the work session.