Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council
VISION
HPCAC is a bridge connecting police and the community.
MISSION
To promote trust between the community and the Huntsville Police Department through education and thoughtful dialogue that drives continuous improvement of public safety for all citizens.
The Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council (HPCAC) works to foster productive interaction and mutual trust between the police and the community. The council provides a citizen’s perspective on law enforcement policies and procedures and advises on a range of topics, including diversity, recruitment, training and discipline.
HPCAC holds public meetings throughout the year, giving residents the opportunity to engage directly with officers and discuss community concerns. The council is made up of community leaders from diverse backgrounds, all dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the public and the police department.
The 13-member HPCAC was created in 2010, with roles and membership updated in 2023 (Ordinance No. 23-944).
CORE TASKS:
- Advise the HPD Chief & Command Staff leadership on changes to policy, recruitment & hiring, and best practices
- Facilitate dialogue and trust with the community through public meetings and community outreach (i.e. attend/speak at a wide variety of venues)
- Provide two HPCAC members to all Incident Review Boards (IRBs)
- Support the Internal Affairs process for citizen complaints
- Participate in the HPD Strategic Plan review
- Participate in the HPD Annual Report review
- Review a quarterly summary of IA complaints to identify trends, patterns or areas of concern that need to be addressed
- Promote & participate in the HPD ride-along program
- Attend HPD education seminars to become more knowledgeable on policing practices (i.e. How & Why police do what they do)
CALENDAR
The HPCAC will hold four public education events throughout the year. Check the calendar on this webpage for the next event.
HOW WE’RE STRUCTURED
The HPCAC serves as a 13-member advisory board to provide guidance and support to the Huntsville Police Department.
- Appointments: Three members are appointed by the Mayor, and ten members are appointed by the City Council (two members per council representative).
- Eligibility: Members must be Huntsville residents and successfully complete a background check.
- Restrictions: No member may have any pending criminal charges or convictions for crimes within the past 10 years.
MEMBERS
- January 13