Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr. and NYUL President Arva Rice will join the CCRB as Mayoral designees
The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), announced the appointment of Central Family Life Center Executive Director, Reverend Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr., and New York Urban League (NYUL) President and Chief Exec
utive Officer, Arva Rice, to its 15-member Board. Dr. Carolina and Ms. Rice will join the CCRB as Mayoral designees.
Rev. Dr. Carolina currently serves as Senior Pastor at First Central Baptist Church and as Executive Director of the Central Family Life Center on Staten Island. Rev. Dr. Carolina was previously appointed as a Commissioner at the NYC Commission on Human Rights in 2015 by Mayor Bill de Blasio and has spent years as an advocate for higher education, economic development, and bold community partnership initi
atives on Staten Island.
Ms. Rice currently serves as President and CEO of the New York Urban League, and is the second woman to ever hold that position. In this role, Ms. Rice has forged partnerships in support of the advancement of women and girls, and has continued to advance NYUL’s mission of empowering African Americans and other un
derserved communities to secure a first-class education and economic opportunity. Ms. Rice previously served as a Commissioner at both the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission and the Commission on Gender Equity.
Statement from Mayor Bill de Blasio:
“Both Arva Rice and Reverend Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr. have dedicated their lives to creating a fairer and more just city. Their steadfast commitment to social justice will make them both an excellent addition to the Civilian Complaint Review Board.”
Statement from CCRB Chair Fred Davie:
“Rev. Dr. Demetrius Carolina and Arva Rice have dedicated their lives to improving their communities and the city we all share. Addressing police misconduct in an impartial manner, particularly at such a critical moment for our city and country, is vital for improving public safety and rebuilding the relationship between communities and the police officers who are sworn to protect and serve them. The CCRB has a number of challenges before it and I am excited to have Dr. Carolina and M
s. Rice’s partnership as we work to empower the Agency and ensure that NYPD officers who commit misconduct are held accountable.”
Statement from Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr.:
“Public service is the highest calling any New Yorker can give to his or her fellow resident. It is my honor to serve all communities of New York via the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Thanks to Mayor de Blasio for his confidence and trust.”
Statement from Arva Rice:
“I am h
onored to be appointed to the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board following my service on the Reform and Reimagine Policing Task Force. The board's central mission to receive, investigate, mediate, hear, make findings, and recommend action on complaints against NYC police officers is one that is central to effective police-community relations. This role is an extension of my commitment to make sure that all New Yorkers regardless of zip code can feel safe in their own neighborhoods. I look forward to working with Chairman Fred Davie, Executive Director Jonathan Darche and the entire board on this important role at this critical time in our City's history."
About the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board. The CCRB is an independent agency that is empowered to receive, investigate, mediate, hear, make findings, and recommend action on complaints against New York City police officers alleging the use of excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, or the use of offensive language. The Board’s investigative staff, composed entirely of civilian employees, conducts investigations in an impartial fashion. The Board has 15 members who must all live in the city and reflect the diversity of the city. This 15-member Board governs the CCRB, with five seats appointed by the Mayor, five appointed by the NYC City Council, three designated by
the Police Commissioner and appointed by the Mayor, one appointed by the Public Advocate, and the Chair, who is jointly appointed by the Mayor and City Council Speaker. No member of the board may have a law enforcement background, other than those designated by the police commissioner, and none may be public employees or serve in public office.
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The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is the largest police oversight entity in the nation and is empowered to investigate, mediate, prosecute, and recommend disciplinary action for complaints alleging misconduct by NYPD officers. See NYC Charter § 440(c)(1). The agency's jurisdiction includes excessive and unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, and use of offensive language. To further this mission, CCRB issues monthly, biannual, and special statistical and qualitative reports analyzing trends and rec
urring issues arising from the many thousands of civilian complaints it receives each year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2021 MEDIA CONTACT Ethan Teicher press@ccrb.nyc.gov (c) 917-224-0422