A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Tallahassee brought by a former member of the Citizens Police Review Board. The city commission dismissed Taylor Biro due to a sticker on her cup that said, “Abolish the police.”
Judge Allen Winsor of the Northern District Court of Florida dismissed Biro’s lawsuit, which alleged that the city violated Biro's First Amendment rights by dismissing her from her volunteer position.
In his ruling, Winsor wrote that Biro’s speech - manifested on her cup, which she brought to the Review Board meetings - could have publicly discredited the board as an unbiased advisory group.
The local chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association called for Biro’s dismissal over the cup in November, and the city commission then voted 3-2 to dismiss her, triggering her lawsuit.
“The City’s purpose in creating the Review Board was ‘[t]o enhance trust between the Tallahassee Police Department and the community by creating an unbiased panel of volunteers’ to make policy recommendations,” Winsor wrote. “So when Biro brought a cup with an antipolice expression on it to Review Board meetings, she spoke in a manner inconsistent with the City’s interest in maintaining an unbiased Review Board.”
When the commissioners dismissed Biro, they also declined the applications of two other members who wished to serve another term. Two more resigned. The Review Board is taking applications for new members, which must be received by April 15th.
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March 15, 2023
The Tallahassee City Commission is accepting applications from those interested in serving on the Citizens Police Review Board (CPRB). To apply, visit Talgov.com/transparency/boards and complete the online form.
Applications must be received by April 15. To be considered for the at-large seats, a letter of nomination from a community-based civic and/or social service organization must be included.
The purpose of the board is to foster transparency, enhance communication and ensure a relationship of trust and respect between TPD and the community.
For questions regarding the application process, call the City Treasurer-Clerk's Office at 850-891-8130. Learn more about this and other citizen advisory board opportunities available with the City at Talgov.com.
