HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-1998 Minutes POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES - February 25, 1998
Lobby Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER Chair P. Hoffey called the meeting to order at 11:30 A.M.
ATTENDANCE Board members present: L. Cohen, M. Raymond, P. Hoffey, J.
Watson (11:35 A.M.) and P. Farrant (11:40 A.M.). Staff present -
Legal Counsel D. Russell, City Clerk M. Kart, Admin. Assistant S.
Bauer. Also present, R.J. Winkelhake, Police Chief, for the
purpose of discussion regarding complaint forms.
CONSENT
CALENDAR Motion by M. Raymond and seconded by L. Cohen to adopt
Consent Calendar as amended. Motion carded, 3/0, J. Watson and
P. Farrant absent.
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
· Receive PCRB Public Report on 97-2;
· Receive PCRB Public Report on 97-3;
· Receive PCRB Public Report on 97-7;
· Approve PCRB Mediation Policies/Procedures and Guidelines.
COMPLAINT
FORMS Police Chief R. J. Winkelhake addressed issues of two separate
complaint forms - "Citizen Complaint Form, Iowa City Police
Department" and "Police Citizen's Review Board, Citizen's
Complaint Form." Discussion followed.
The Board felt strongly that it be informed of any written
complaints from citizens regarding police officer misconduct
regardless of which form is used. This would provide a much
better picture to what the Board feels is their direction from the
Council, noting the preamble to the Ordinance. The concern is that
a complaint about police misconduct could be filed on the "Citizen
Complaint Form, Iowa City Police Department" and never seen by
the PCRB.
Chief Winkelhake will attend the meeting on March 11 and present
a report which will address how many complaints were handled in
the Police Department in 1997, the nature of those complaints, and
the results of investigations.
PCRB - 2/25/98
Minutes
Page 2
A subcommittee was appointed comprised of L. Cohen and P.
Farrant to streamline and revise the PCRB complaint form and
report back to the Board.
Further discussion of this matter will continue at meeting of March
11.
MEDIATION
PROCESS Draft copies of the mediation documents were discussed.
Direction was given to amend the mediation documents to reflect:
Policies & Procedures: Add to #3, "Every effort will be made by
the PCRB staff to arrange for the selected mediator. If, however,
that is not possible, then the PCRB staff will discuss another
possibility with the parties."
Consent to Mediate: Change "choice" to "preference." Last line
of the document, change "staff" to "PCRB staff."
Letter #2: Paragraph 2, first sentence - Change "choice of" to
"preference for;" second sentence - eliminate first choice and
include second choice, "A Consent to Mediate and list of mediators
has also been sent to the police officer(s) named in your
Complaint."
Letter gl, #2, & #3: The Board agreed the chairman's name
should appear on all three letters, but gave authorization to PCRB
staffto sign them in an effort not to slow the process.
Motion by P. Farrant and seconded by M. Raymond to approve the
mediation documents as amended and send them to the City
Council for approval. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION None
MEETING
SCHEDULE Future meeting dates:
· March 4, 1998 - 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.
· March 11, 1998 - 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
PCRB - 2/25/98
Minutes
Page 3
EXECUTIVE
SESSION To discuss PCRB Complaints #97-2, #97-3, #97-7 and #98-1,
Motion was made by L. Cohen and seconded by P. Fan'ant to
adjourn into Executive Session based upon 21.5(g) of the Code of
Iowa to avoid disclosure of specific law enforcement matters, such
as current or proposed investigations, and 22.7(5) of the Code of
Iowa requiring peace officers investigative reports be kept
confidential. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. Meeting
adjourned at 12:55 P.M.
Regular meeting resumed at 1:35 P.M.
Motion by M. Raymond and seconded by L. Cohen to approve as
amended PCRB Public Reports regarding Complaints #97-2, #97-
3, and #97-7. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present.
Motion by J. Watson and seconded by P. Farrant that the level of
review for PCRB Complaint #98-1 be 8-8-7 B(1)a. Motion
carded, 5/0, all members present.
BOARD
INFORMATION City Clerk M. Karr noted discussion at the City Council work
session of February 23 regarding the format of PCRB reports to
Council. Council Member Kubby suggested that additional
information be provided under "Board Responsibility" to further
explain Code citations to citizens. The PCRB Board will take the
suggestion under advisement. The Board extended their
appreciation to those reading the reports, noting that report writing
was an evolving process and welcomes comments and suggestions.
ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by L. Cohen and seconded by P. Farrant.
Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. Meeting adjourned at
1:40 P.M.