Columbia Citizens Police Review Board Chair Seeks Reinstatement of Prior Responsibilities

Board chair says changes have made the board "invisible to the public" and limited its ability to address citizen complaints about police misconduct.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The chair of Columbia, Missouri's Citizens Police Review Board (CPRB), Doug Hunt, is urging city leaders to reverse restrictions placed on the board in 2024. The changes, made in response to a state law, limited the types of complaints the CPRB can review, stripped its power to make policy recommendations, and prevented it from holding public meetings. Hunt says these changes have undermined the board's ability to provide meaningful oversight and transparency around police conduct.

Why it matters

The CPRB was established to give citizens a voice in reviewing and providing input on police policies and practices. The recent changes have significantly reduced the board's authority and accessibility, which could erode public trust in the police and reduce accountability for misconduct allegations.

The details

In September 2024, the Columbia City Council voted 4-2 to limit the CPRB's jurisdiction, preventing it from reviewing certain types of complaints against police officers and eliminating its ability to make recommendations on department policies or officer training. These changes followed the passage of Missouri Senate Bill 754, signed into law by former Governor Mike Parson.

  • In September 2024, the Columbia City Council voted to restrict the CPRB's responsibilities.
  • In 2025, the CPRB received 6 appeals, down from 15 the prior year.

The players

Doug Hunt

Chair of the Columbia Citizens Police Review Board.

Mike Parson

Former Governor of Missouri who signed Senate Bill 754 into law.

Don Waterman

Ward 5 Councilman on the Columbia City Council.

Donald Weaver

General Counsel of the Columbia Police Officers Association.

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What they’re saying

“It made therefore citizens who were unhappy with incidents with the police less inclined to come to the Citizens Police Review Board for some relief. And I'm afraid that it may be giving the impression that there's a robust system of police oversight in Columbia when, in fact, there's a kind of enfeebled one as a result.”

— Doug Hunt, Chair, Columbia Citizens Police Review Board (ABC 17 News)

“I would like to hear more details before I say 'yay' or 'nay.' I mean, to me that's one of the things like OK we made the decision. We can always go back an revisit a decision. I would surely be open to having the discussion and see where it leads.”

— Don Waterman, Ward 5 Councilman, Columbia City Council (ABC 17 News)

What’s next

The Columbia City Council has not yet discussed the matter further, but Councilman Waterman said he would be open to revisiting the decision and having further discussions.

The takeaway

The changes to the Columbia Citizens Police Review Board have significantly reduced its ability to provide meaningful oversight and transparency around police conduct, which could undermine public trust in the police department. The board chair's call to reinstate the board's prior responsibilities highlights the ongoing debate around balancing police accountability and state-level policies.