The board, which officials said is not formalized in the consent decree, has drawn vocal opposition from the city's police unions. But union leaders have signaled that members of the police force are open to the proposed reforms.

"Since this [federal monitoring] first surfaced we've been looking forward to getting the problems that this department has ironed out," said James Stewart, President of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police.

"If this consent decree is going to get better training, then we're all for it, because ultimately we all want a better, safer Newark," he said.

Udi Ofer, ACLU-NJ Executive Director, called upon federal officials to ensure changes that will outlast the monitoring period.

For 50 years the people of Newark have called for federal oversight of Newark policing, he said. "But now the hard work begins."

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.