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Home My WebLink About05-20-1998 Communication Annie Tucker, Mediator 220 Lafayette St. Iowa City, IA 52240 319 354-5775 May 12, 1998 to Police Citizens Review Board Members Dear Members of the PCRB Board, As you know, I recently had the privilege of working within the PCRB.~rTjgesr~o In the course of laying the groundwork for the mediation, I became aware of p~i~3 questions which concerned me and may be of concern to you. I am bringing them to ~ur attention. 1. Uniforms v. Street clothes. Mediation is a process where all parties have an equal opportunity to convey their perspectives and concerns. As a mediator, it is my job to neutralize the impact of any real or perceived power imbalances among the mediating parties. In that spirit, I asked that the officers involved wear street clothes to the mediation session. A mediator for the Polk County (IA) County Attorney's Office made this suggestion. Question: Does the board want to make a policy about whether officers wear their uniforms or street clothes to mediations? 2. Wearing guns to mediation. In this spirit, I also question whether the board wants to allow a police officer to wear a gun to the mediation session, even if the gun is kept out of sight. I spoke to Lt. Johnson, of ICPD, who indicated that wearing a gun when off-duty is an option for Iowa City Police officers. Question: Does the board want to make a clear policy about whether it is acceptable for a police officers to wear a gun during mediation? Would it be acceptable for the complainant to wear a gun to mediation? 3. Confidentiality. My understanding is that the PCRB complaint process is represented as confidential. · Does that include telephone calls related to a complaint and any correspondence related to a complaint? ·Are complaints added to a party's police record? If so, do the complaints continue to be confidential? · Are there circumstances when the City or the Police Department might decide to disclose this information (the separate complaint or the complaint on a police record) to a person or agency not directly involved in the complaint process? Are the complainant and the PCRB Board notified of such action? · Do all staff members who may have contact with the complainant and/or any complaint-related phone calls, paperwork, or correspondence know that this information is confidential? · Is it appropriate for any city staffto share complaint information with other city staff who do not already have contact with the information? I suggest that if there are any possible exceptions to the absolute confidentiality of the PCRB process, that the complainant be informed of these before s/he proceeds with the complaint. It also seems important to clarify the extent of confidentiality to all staff members. I also wonder how the board wants to monitor this. 4. Perception. One thing that is continually reinforced for me as a mediator is that perception is as least as important as actuality. With that in mind, the PCRB may want to consider getting its own letterhead, instead of using City of Iowa City stationery, to prevent the perception of a conflict of interest. Thank you for your consideration of these concerns. I am committed to people having access to processes that promote open, direct, respectful and effective communication about their concerns and differences. I hope the above is useful in some way. If you want to discuss any of the issues further, I would be happy to do so. If you do make any decisions on these issues, I would appreciate hearing about it. Sincerely, Annie Tucker, Mediator June ~, 1998 Dear Citizen, The Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) '~ ' ~mvztes you to attend a ~ Community Forum on Monday, June 29, 1998 at 7:00 P.M. in Room A at the Iowa City Public Library. The Forum will solicit comments about policies, procedures, and practices of the Iowa City Police Department. The PCRB will use suggestions and recommendations from the Forum as we determine the focu~ and direction of our work. ~ We want to learn if the Iowa City Police Department's performance is keeping with community standards, and we believe we can best do this ~ by listening to what our citizens have to say. In addition to reviewing investigations of complaints about the police, the Board is also directed to review police practices, procedures, and written policies. Issues that receive the most attention at the Forum will become agenda items for further public input and discussion at regularly scheduled monthly PCRB meetings. It will then be the responsibility of the Board to report all concurred-upon recommendations to the City Council. If you wish to speak at the Forum, add,your name to the--"advanee sign- up sheet" at the City Clerk's Office at the Civic Center, 410 E. Washington 52240 (Tel: 356-5041). A sign-up sheet will also be available at the Library on the night of. she Forum. Any written comments received prior to June 22 willf~rwarded to the Board. More information appears on the Community Forum Notice included with this letter. Please post this notice in a conspicuous location. If you have any questions about the Forum, call the PCRB Office at 356-5413 or the City Clerk's Office at 356-5041. Sincerely, Paul Hoffey Chair Police Citizens Review Board DRAFT The Police Citizens Review Board invites you to attend a Community Forum. The Forum will solicit comments about policies, procedures, and practices of the Iowa City Police Department. We want to learn if the Iowa City Police Department's performance is keeping with community standards, and we believe we can best do this by listening to what our citizens have to say. The PCRB will use suggestions and recommendations from the Forum as we determine the focus and direction of our work. Issues that receive the most attention at the Forum will become agenda items for fi~rther public input and discussion at regularly scheduled PCRB monthly meetings. It will then be the responsibility of the Board to report all concurred-upon recommendations to the City Council. WHAT: Community Forum WHEN: June 29, 1998 TIME: 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. WHERE: Iowa City Public Library, Conference Room A SPEAKERS: An "advance sign-up" is available for those persons wishing to address the Board during the first 90 minutes of the Forum. Please call 3~6-5041 to register. Sign-up will also be available at the Forum for the remaining 30 minutes. A S-minute time limitation will be allowed for each speaker. Speakers may receive questions from the Board members. NOTE: Any written comments received prior to June 22 will be forwarded to the Board. April 27, 19')~ Council Work Sessiol~ page 6{) Norton/ Lehman/ 23. Vanderhoef/I was concerned about the new story that was talking about the number of complaints to our PCRB... seem to have it out of context.., the public report .... sounded like that we had hundreds of complaints... I went back through the reports.., seven.., all from the same person and three of the seven from the previous year are from the same person.... I would like a news report out there that says hey folks.., we aren't getting that many complaints .... O'Donnell/ Vanderhoef/....they misled you .... I don't know how we get around that.... If we can put . out a statement of how many complaints we have had total. Lehman/That commission was set up to be as autonomous as it could possibly get.., their responsibility..., hands off, leave them alone.... I think I would let that one go .... Norton/ Kubby/Not a bad idea for a commission like that to meet with the editorial board .... present how they are pro~essing..., have direct contact.... You can say I want to meet with your editorial board. Lehman/It is their call. 24. Kan*/One thing. You will be getting a memo in your packet reminding you of'the joint meeting with the County. I will need your agenda items..., by next Wednesday. I will remind you on Friday.... County's turn to host as well as the agenda.... Thank you .... Adjourned: 10:I5 PM. This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City council meeting of April 27, 1998 WS042798