Applicants pour in for Philadelphia's new police oversight commission

Philadelphia has received at least 212 applications so far from individuals seeking to sit on its new Citizens Police Oversight Commission, city spokesperson Kevin Lessard told Axios.

What's happening: The selection panel is considering applications for the independent, nine-member commission on a rolling basis.

• The deadline to apply is Nov. 5, and the panel is expected to put forward its slate of candidates before the year's end, Lessard said in an email.
• The city council has final say on who serves on the commission.

State of play: The new commission, which voters approved last year, will be in charge of investigating citizen complaints against police, as well as police use-of-force incidents. It has the power to subpoena officers to participate in probes.

• Commissioners, who serve as volunteers, will recommend potential charges and discipline.
• The oversight body will also have an executive director, legal counsel and other staff.

What they're saying: Councilman Curtis Jones, who spearheaded the legislation for the new commission, said he was hoping that the applicants were both geographically and demographically diverse.

• "We don't want monolithic thought. … To have oversight, we must have insight," he said.

Of note: Commissioners must all live in different police districts in the city.