 In 1965, Mayor John Lindsay appointed former federal judge Lawrence E. Walsh to investigate and consult with the NYPD to make improvements to the department.He recommended that members of the general public, non-police officers, be given substantial authority in any new civilian complaint review board.Walsh’s work had a focus on modernization of the NYPD, but also encouraged the board to have civilian representation to instill public confidence that civilian complaints will be managed impartially.