Primary Types of Civilian Review of Law Enforcement

Investigative Civilian Review Commission
Conducts investigatin of specified types of complaints independently of the police internal affairs investigation.  Often has authority to subpoena witnesses.  Commissions do not have power to discipline officers themselves and generally only make a recommendation for discipline to the law enforcement executive and/or authority that has ultimate authority to approve discipline.

Monitoring Civilian Review Board or Authority
Has access to police internal affairs investigations of specified types of complaints.  Generally can ask for clarification or additional investigation.  May disagree with findings or recommendations and issue a  dissenting report to the law enforcement executive, the city manager, or other body that has ultimate authority to approve discipline.

Auditing Civilian Review Board or Authority
Has access to police internal affairs investigations and examines them for indications of need to change policies or procedures.  Makes recommendations for policy and procedural changes to the law enforcement executive or other authority.

Inspector General System
Can initiate own investigations and monitor internal affairs investigations on specified issues.  Makes own findings and recommendations regarding discipline, policy and procedures to body that has ultimate authority to approve discipline or implement changes in policies and procedures.