Proponents are circulating the idea of a police review commission. While it's too soon to make a final determination, serious consideration should be given to whether the idea has merit.

There had been calls for such a commission before the tragic shooting of Cheri Lyn Moore last month. But the shooting -- in which Moore, wielding a flare gun, was killed by a SWAT team -- has added to the urgency of open and full discussions on the possibility.

The Coalition for Police Review is proposing the formation of a police review commission in Eureka to investigate complaints made against the police department, review policies and procedures, make determinations about complaints and report to the City Council.

South of us, the Berkeley Police Review Commission investigates complaints of misconduct against Berkeley police officers. The nine commissioners live in Berkeley and are appointed by the City Council.

In Portland, Ore., the Independent Police Review Division and the nine-member Citizen Review Committee were created to help improve police accountability, promote higher standards of police services and increase public confidence.

In Pittsburgh, the Citizen Police Review Board is an independent agency set up to investigate citizen complaints about improper police conduct. It is made up of seven unpaid board members appointed by the City Council and mayor.

Citizen involvement of this sort can be a good way to ensure checks and balances, transparency and accountability. Discussions should continue on whether the idea would work for Eureka.