Long before the days of radio or television, let alone social media, he knew the power of symbolic action and the importance of the civilian oversight of policing.

Fire departments may also have unsworn or non-uniformed members in non-firefighting capacities such as administration and civilian oversight, e.g., a board of commissioners.

Civilian oversight of police services has become an important accountability mechanism to police powers.

There were also concerns regarding the constables overstepping their jurisdiction when it came to criminal investigations, and a lack of civilian oversight.