Syracuse Watchdog Board Chair Urges Residents to Sue
Halted police misconduct probes and a police records dispute have left the Syracuse Civilian Review Board unable to investigate for months.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Syracuse Civilian Review Board Chair Don Johnson told residents to sue the board at a Wednesday night meeting that ran over an hour. The board's investigations into alleged police misconduct have been halted for months after the Syracuse Police Department refused to turn over records and videos it needs.
Why it matters
The police department cited city lawyers' instructions tied to a court case involving Rochester's police watchdog, which an appeals court stripped of investigative powers in March. The dispute raises questions about who can oversee police conduct in Syracuse and whether residents have an effective path to accountability.
The Syracuse Civilian Review Board's investigations into alleged police misconduct remain paused for months, with the police department withholding records and videos. Mayor Sharon Owens has said she would support resuming investigations if the Rochester decision is reversed, and whether that will happen is not yet known.
The players
Don Johnson
Chair of the Syracuse Civilian Review Board, who told residents to sue the board and said city lawyers informed him the board cannot hire its own lawyers.
Sharon Owens
Mayor of Syracuse, who said she would support the board resuming investigations if the Rochester court decision is reversed.
Donna Moore
Syracuse Common Councilor who said there is a conflict of interest for the Corporation Counsel advising the city, police department and board.
The details
The board makes recommendations to the police chief, who has final say on discipline. City lawyers told Board Chair Don Johnson this week that the board cannot hire its own lawyers, and Common Councilor Donna Moore said the Corporation Counsel advising the city, police department and board creates a conflict of interest. The board announced in August it was restarting investigations, but the police department refused to release the materials needed.
Timeline
March: An appeals court stripped Rochester's police watchdog of its investigative powers.
August: The Syracuse board announced it was restarting investigations, but police refused to turn over materials.
Wednesday night: The Civilian Review Board meeting where the chair urged residents to sue.
This week: City lawyers told the board it cannot hire its own lawyers.
Legal Context
Syracuse paused its investigations after the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association asked the city to review the impact of the March Rochester appeals ruling that stripped that city's Police Accountability Board of investigative powers. The dispute shows how a single appellate decision in one New York city can freeze civilian oversight in another.
Residents who have filed complaints about alleged police misconduct in Syracuse currently have no active investigation path through the Civilian Review Board while the records dispute continues. Those affected may need to weigh the board's public encouragement to sue as a potential option.
The takeaway
Syracuse residents concerned about police accountability should track whether the Rochester appeals decision is reversed, since that outcome will determine whether the Civilian Review Board can resume its investigations.
Further reading
Explore more Syracuse Law Enforcement coverage for context on the city's oversight disputes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
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