Nominees for Cincinnati's new seven-member police oversight board include three African-Americans, two holdovers from the old Civilian Police Review Panel, and no household names.

        And although Mayor Charlie Luken said the list he'll send to City Council next week is as fair as you'll find anywhere, some are already raising questions.

ON THE PANEL

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken nominated seven people Friday to serve on the Citizen Complaint Authority:    • Walter T. Bowers II,    physician, Clifton    • Sandra A. Butler,    real estate agent, Oakley    • John Eby    electrical engineer, Westwood    • Marta Camille Anderson Haamid,    retired federal probation officer, Clifton    • Nancy Minson,    mental health advocate, Walnut Hills    • Richard D. Siegel,    lawyer, Clifton    • Justin Wolterman,    college student, University Heights

        Kenneth L. Lawson, a lawyer for the Black United Front, said he'll take a closer look at some nominees who “cause me some concern.”

        Among them: John Eby, a Westwood activist who organized a rally in support of police last year, and Richard D. Siegel, a lawyer who came recommended by the director of the Cincinnati Police Academy.

        “There are certain individuals out there who believe, no matter what, that the police can do no wrong,” Mr. Lawson said.

        The racial profiling lawsuit by the Black United Front and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio helped prompt the city to create the Citizen Complaint Authority in April.

        The panel will review serious allegations of police misconduct and track patterns of excessive force by police.

        Although the plaintiffs do not have any say in the composition of the panel, Mr. Lawson suggested that he would file a complaint with the federal monitor if he concludes the city is stacking it with pro-police members.

        African-Americans on the panel are Walter T. Bowers II, Sandra Butler and Marta Camille Anderson Haamid.

        Mr. Eby said he was surprised the mayor picked him, given his modest qualifications and the 142 applicants.

        “I kind of knew I would be a lightning rod of criticism if he did select me, just because of the Hands Across District 3 rally,” he said.

        “I like to think of myself as an 80/20 kind of guy. I don't stand behind the police 100 percent. I don't stand behind anyone 100 percent. I thought there were people who applied for the committee who are much more pro-police than I ever will be.”

        Mr. Eby, a self-described “average Joe,” seemed to be just the kind of person Mr. Luken was looking for.

        “They are Cincinnatians from different walks of life who come to this panel with a willingness to serve,” Mr. Luken said. “You won't see anyone on this list who's a political candidate or who has an ax to grind.”

        For the sake of continuity, Mr. Luken said he felt it was important to reappoint the two members of the Civilian Police Review Panel who applied for the new panel. They are Mr. Bowers and Nancy Minson.

        Nominees must be confirmed by City Council on Wednesday, pass a criminal background check and attend a training course. They will be paid $100 a meeting.
       

Taxpayers may owe Bengals $14 million
Erpenbeck fallout: selling tools to pay bills
Family faces loss of home, savings
City drains flooded Erpenbeck sites
Savvy marketing campaign has no rival
Mother dies while trying to save son
Clovernook Center teaches teens survival
Crops may suffer rain delay
Fans get up early, watch U.S. go down
Friend's leukemia propels mom
Levee targets older audience
Luken picks police review panel
Obituary: Marja Staub
River towns look for ways to link their parks, trails
Tetanus vaccine available again
Title agency owners charged with fraud, conspiracy
Tristate A.M. Report
You know the drill: Stay in, drink fluids
CROWLEY: Ky. Political Notes
MCNUTT: Neighborhoods
SAMPLES GUTIERREZ: Homelessness
THOMPSON: Faith Matters
Music festival features plenty of pickin', singin'
Historic 101-mile Towpath Trail will end in downtown Cleveland
Former president of company indicted
Ludlow residents file suit to halt building
Three more claim abuse by former Louisville priest