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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-1998 Minutes POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD MINUTES - August 11, 1998 Lobby Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair L. Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. ATTENDANCE Board members present: L. Cohen, P. Farrant, M. Raymond, and J. Watson. Board member absent: P. Hoffey. Staff present: Legal Counsel D. Russell and Administrative Assistant S. Bauer. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by M. Raymond and seconded by P. Farrant to adopt the Consent Calendar. Motion carried, 4/0, Hoffey absent. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL None COMMUNITY FORUM EVALUATION Board members discussed an informal list of potential issues and priorities relating to Police Department policies, based on presentations made by citizens at the July 14, 1998 Community Forum and correspondence received to-date. Issues commented on about the forum format and future forums included: sites to hold forums other than at the iowa City Public Library; · practical issues related to televising future forums; · need for further listening sessions and more anecdotal input; · more participation from board members at future forums; · preference for issue focused sessions; · need for participation by student population representatives. The following Issues were suggested as poasibllltlas from the first forum: Issue #1- Race end Age-based Traffic Stops, as proposed by M. Raymond: This issue is being raised nationwide. A proposal at the federal level and in two states calls for fact gathering demographic information on those subjected to traffic stops. Raymond proposed that the board determine if such demographic information is already being collected and whether the board could have access to it. This data could include: (1) number of individuals stopped, (2) r ace/ethnicity, (3) approximate age, (4) traffic infraction that was alleged to have been committed that had lead to the stop, (5) whether a search was instituted as a result of the stop, how the search was instituted, the rationale for the search, {6) whether contraband was discovered in the course of the search and the nature of the contraband, if any, (7) whether warning or citations were issued as a result of the stop, and (8) whether an arrest was made. Issue #2 - Use of Force: The question of policy on the use of weapons and the potential use of force is an important one in this community. J. Watson suggested inviting Prof. Baldus to discuss the issue of accumulating data in trying to evaluate the issue, and to asSist the board in determining whether the existing policies on use of force are appropriate for this community. Issue #3 - Shaw Matter.. A number of speakers at the forum suggested that the community still wants to hear whether the police department has made changes in policy, procedure, and training as a result of the Shaw incident. Issue #4 - Priorities/Community Standards: The possibility of mini sessions for the police department to make presentations to the public about community standards/policies as a way for citizens to be more informed about current policies, structuring time for presentation, debate, and response. With respect to this issue, it was acknowledged that the PCRB was established to focus on possible problems, review policies, foster public discussion, and recommend needed changes in policy and procedure. Issue # 5 - Downtown Issues: Personnel allocation issues, attitude issues, policy decisions, and input from the student body_. The board suggested a number of ways to proceed: 1. Gathering information from guest speakers; 2. Department presentations (see #4 above); 3. Provide a venue for the public to respond and debate; 4. identify specific outcomes, to include possible recommendations to the City Council. It was the consensus of the board that it is more practical to start with concrete issues like traffic stops and use of force. Results of discussion end exploration of these issues may provide direction for addressing less concrete themes, such as perceived attitudes and community expectations. Motion by L. Cohen and seconded by M. Raymond that (1} Raymond shall draft a letter to the Chief requesting information about collection of demographic data on traffic stops, and (2) Watson shall contact David Baldus inviting him to a future meeting to speak on data collection and use of force issues. Motion carried, 4/0, Hoffey absent. PUBLIC DISCUSSION The following individuals appeared: Jeff Guiton, Anthony Haughton, and Charles Eastham. COMPLAINT FORM Committee Chair P. Farrsnt distributed a working copy of PCRB Citizen Complaint Form, Draft 8/10/98. This matter was deferred for discussion to the next meeting. MEETING SCHEDULE * Special Meeting August 18, 1998 - 7:00 P.M. Agenda - Complaint Form, SOP's, Annual Report, Forum (IMU?) · Special Meeting August 25, 1998 - 7:00 P,M. · Special Meeting September 1, 1998 - 7:00 · Regular Meeting September 8, 1998 - 7:00 P.M. BOARD INFORMATION · M. Raymond - the statute that allows police to conduct a full search based on a citation will be reviewed by the U.S Supreme Court this fall. Ms. Raymond will kee~ the board apprised of this issue. STAFF INFORMATION ·Regarding the Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement conferences, S. Bauer reported that the City would consider all travel requests submitted to them. * D. Russell distributed memo of 8/11/98 regarding PCRB SOP's and Guidelines for consideration by the Board on August 18. ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by M. Raymond and seconded by J. Watson. Motion carried, 4/0, Hoffey absent. Meeting adjourned at 9:23 P.M.