The Rochester City Council has voted unanimously to confirm the nine Police Accountability Board nominees.
The board will investigate complaints of police misconduct and can discipline officers.
The union that represents police officers is suing to dissolve the board, saying its authority violates the police union contract.
The board members include Miquel Powell, who served prison time for shooting at a man at a daycare. Powell now heads an agency that helps ex-cons readjust to life on the outside.