The city commission shall appoint eleven members to the council. It is desired that the members be reflective of the racial, age, socio-economic and geographic diversity of the city. All members’ permanent residence shall be within the municipal corporate limits of the City of Gainesville, Florida. Current employees of the city’s police department are not eligible to serve on the council. 

Each member shall be appointed to a 4-year term. However, to establish staggered terms, 3 initial appointees shall be appointed to a 2-year term, 4 initial appointees shall be appointed to a 3-year term and 4 initial appointees shall be appointed to a 4-year term.

It is the intent of the city commission to create, empower, staff, and fund a police advisory council whose purpose is to study the city’s police department, gather information, receive community input concerning public safety issues and law enforcement needs and concerns, and make policy recommendations to the city regarding all aspects of the delivery of public safety services with the goal of maintaining a safe city that enjoys a strong, positive and trusting relationship between the community and the city police department.

Deborah Holt