The mediator assists the parties in seeking a mutually acceptable solution to their dispute, but has no power to impose a settlement. The purpose of the Civilian Complaint Review Board Mediation Program is to provide a quick and voluntary resolution of disagreements between the parties, while at the same time permitting the Civilian Complaint Review Board to concentrate its resources on complaints which do not fall under the CCRB's guidelines for mediation. The Civilian Complaint Review Board carefully screens complaints to determine suitability for mediation. The Mediation Program offers the parties to a complaint an opportunity to make informed choices in developing constructive solutions to the dispute which led to the filing of the complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Both parties will have an opportunity to express their needs and concerns in an informal, confidential and neutral setting to a trained mediator without fear of intimidation.
Mediators are trained professionals.
The requirement of confidentiality is integral to the Civilian Complaint Review Board Mediation Program. In order for the mediation process to be successful, the parties availing themselves of the Mediation Program must feel they can air their views in an informal atmosphere without fear that any and all written and oral communications made in connection with or during any mediation session by any party, mediator or participant to the mediation are subject to disclosure in any judicial or administrative proceeding. All information disclosed or statements made at a mediation session will be kept confidential and cannot be disclosed, or used as evidence, or in any other way, in any judicial or administrative proceeding. The mediator, the parties and their respective counsel or representatives, and any other participants are prohibited from revealing to anyone the content of any discussions which take place during the mediation process. The parties may, however, discuss the mediation with their attorneys, representatives or employers.