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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-1998 Articles October 7, 1998 Residents, ICPD confront race issues * A local woman who brought a complaint against a member of the ICPD isn't the only one concerned about increased enforcement. By Rebecca Anderson Letters to and Eric Petersen the Editor Display & The Daily Iowan Classified Advertisin~ Subscription As a local woman pursues her complaint that a police officer treated Info DI Stuff her in a "racially motivated" and "violent" manner, there are other Copyright 1996 community members who say Iowa City Police Department The Daily Iowan. enforcement sometimes crosses the line. Copyright 1996 Associated Press. The Police Citizens' Review Board is currently investigating the complaint filed by Faith Walker, a black woman who has alleged that Iowa City police Officer Paul J. Batcheller mistreated her and two members of her family during a June 6 traffic stop. A hearing regarding the incident was set to occur Tuesday night at an executive session of the Review Board, the independent group that reviews residents' complaints against the police. Batcheller could have presented his side of the incident, but he waived his fight to a hearing, said David Walker (no relation to Faith Walker), the Coralville attorney who is representing the Walker family. The hearing would have been the second one of its kind since the Review Board was formed in 1997, and the first to grapple with the issue of race. The police department's internal investigation found that Faith Walker's complaint did not paint an accurate picture of the incident. Batcheller would not comment on the matter, saying only, "These things have their place, like a court of law." Race and the ICPD Regardless of the outcome of the Review Board's confidential investigation, changes in crime in Iowa City have left the police department struggling to adjust, said Iowa City attorney L'mda I of 6 10/7/98 10:52 AM Levey, who handles some criminal defense cases. The police have stepped up patrol of the Broadway area of southeast Iowa City, a place where gang and drug activity has been on the rise since 1993, and also the site of low-income housing. The increased patrolling of this area, whose residents are often black or latino, may be a factor in heightening tensions between minorities and the police. "I think (police officers) don't know how to deal with minorities," Levey said. "Some officers may have negative stereotypes against minorities." The growth in the number of minorities in Iowa City may also be a factor in the rise of the number of confrontations. A special census done in 1996 showed an increasing minority population in Iowa City, said David Schoon, Iowa City's economic development coordinator. In the face of such growth, some officers may not know how to act, Levey said. "We have a changing population. They don't have the training they need to deal with (it)," she said. Levey's attitude stems from experiences she said she's had representing people who claim they were mistreated by Iowa City police because of race. She's handled two such cases, and in both instances, Levey said, "Minority women were virtually attacked by ICPD officers." Neither woman filed a formal complaint with the Review Board. One woman from Zaire claimed she was wrongfully accused of child endangerment. She was charged with interference with official acts after she argued and the situation escalated, Levey said. In another case, a Latina woman who lives in the Broadway area alleged she was assaulted by police when they responded to a report of excessive noise. That situation also escalated into a fight that involved the kicking of one officer in the groin and the forceful restraining of the woman by two other officers, Levey said. However, Levey said she can't judge an entire organization based on her feelings and experiences. "Overall, I think most police officers are not insensitive," Levey said. "But sometimes you can't overcome your own prejudices or stereotypes." Other members of the community say race discrimination exists, but victims may have a difficult time proving it. 2 of 6 10/7/98 10:52 AM "There's no doubt there's a lot of discrimination out there," said Vernon McKinley, Coralville attorney and 1994 graduate of the UI College of Law, who is representing Faith Walker. "But the threshold to prove it is static. And it is a high one." Learning on the Job Police Officer Ron Gist said since joining the force he has had no formal training in dealing with minorities, but he took a class in the police academy dealing with "cultural diversity." It was established to increase cadets' awareness of people's differences, he said. When dealing with the public, it's important for the police to adapt to each situation because of the mix of people within it, Gist said, adding that he has never noticed a police officer treating a person differently because of race or ethnicity. In dealing with gangs, Gist, a member of the Iowa City Police Department since 1995, said he has learned the most since his graduation from the academy. "Most of my experience is being out on the street every day," Gist said. "I've never been on a call with an officer who had problems with someone ... because of their culture." Although minority residents have complained about officers mistreating people because of race, the tables can be turned. As one of two black officers on the Force, Gist said he has had problems dealing with the public, especially in the Broadway area. "They have a negative reaction to me because I'm a minority," Gist said. "Some call me all kinds of colorful names. Some minorities expect a break because of my race. But ultimately, I'm a police officer, and I am going to do what I have to do." Reduced crime -- an even trade? In recent months, the ICPD has been successful in reducing gang and drug activity in Iowa City, said Iowa City police Sgt. Vicki Lalla, supervisor of the Special Crimes Action Team (SCAT). But some residents are asking whether a heightened police presence, and what some describe as heavy-handed measures, are a good trade-of[ "I think that the residents (in the Broadway area) have legitimate concerns about how the police are treating each and every resident not necessarily as innocent prior to committing a crime," McKinley said. When officers approach people who are breaking the law, the 3 of 6 10/7/98 10:52 AM possibility for misunderstanding is heightened, Lalla said. "It's not like you run into your friendly, neighborhood police at those times," Lalla said. "People feel the need to justify their actions. That's human nature." Iowa City City Councilor Dee Norton said the possibility of "heavy- handedness" of the police with the public is somewhat distorted given the extremes officers sometimes face. "If you've ever been downtown at 2 a.m., you'll see how hard it is," Norton said. "There's a lot of physical contact required sometimes for them to do their jobs." After 32 years in law enforcement, Iowa City Police ChiefR. J. Winkelhake said police departments are constantly under a public magnifying glass and that some criticism is to be expected. "Police departments are always looked at," Winkelhake said. "They are the most visible part of city government. You have some very vocal people. Some people know what they're talking about, some people don't have a darn clue. You never want to dismiss criticism, but you really have to be critical in your judgment." But the stresses of dealing with the public, coupled with enforcing the law, are something that each officer deals with individually. Gist said he constantly reminds himself that it is his duty to treat the public like people no matter how severe the crime or incident may be. "I always treat people like human beings," Gist said. "There are times they won't let me treat them like human beings, though." Dissenting Voices Many people do not understand the role of police officers, which can lead to confusion in the way people judge an officer's demeanor, Iowa City police Sgt. Jim Steffen said. "People are offended by the way the officer approaches them," Steffen said. "But (the officers) are taught to approach a situation in a certain manner." Gist said he understands this because there have been situations in which he felt he should change his demeanor because he was unsure of what type of situation he was entering. "There's always the possibility of something escalating," he said. "I'm not here to get hurt." 4 of 6 10/7/98 10:52 AM Steffen said there is a lack of knowledge among members of the public in the ways officers are trained to complete their jobs. But others believe the police go too far in completing their jobs, especially when they try to gain respect from residents "through intimidation," David Walker said. In early 1997, Stephan Arndt, a UI psychiatry research assistant, and his long-time friend, Ted Cizlado, developed a public opinion poll concerning the actions of the Iowa City Police Department. They sent a questionnaire to 1,500 random Iowa City addresses asking residents to rate various aspects of the police. Several citizens said the police need to make a greater "public relations" effort and also that too much time was being spent policing students on issues of drinking. Twenty percent of the respondents said the police were either "poor" or "very poor" at putting them at ease, with many individuals' written comments describing the police as "intimidating." While Iowa City police officers maintain they are doing their best at a very difficult job, others argue their measures are over-the-top, especially when compared to their Coralville counterparts. "Sitting out here in Coralville, it's a different world," McKinley said. "(The cops) are just different professionally. They've got a different attitude. I'm not going to say one is better than the other. I am just saying that I feel more comfortable (in Coralville) than I do (in Iowa City)." ~ DI reporter Rebecca Anderson can be reached at: raanders~blue.weeg.uiowa, extu D/reporter Erie Petersen can be reached at: ejpeters~blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Title:Residents, ICPD confront race issues [ Home Search Front Metro & Iowa Nation & World Viewpoints Sports Arts ] 5 of 6 10/7/98 10:52 AM October 7, 1998 The complainants The following are two accounts of incidents that residents have brought before the Police Citizens' Review Board. In both cases, the complaints have made it to the stage of a "name-clearing hearing," in which the officer in question is allowed to address Letters to the board. the Editor Display & Classified Advertising Faith Walker's complaint is still under review by the board, and Subscription as of Tuesday night, Batcheller waived his right to the hearing, Info DI Staff said attorney David Walker, who is representing Faith Walker. Copyright 1996 In the incident involving David Martyn, the board dropped the The Daily Iowan. complaint against the officers involved. Copyright 1996 Associated Press. By Rebecca Anderson and Eric Petersen The Daily Iowan Faith Walker Faith Walker, her son, Raphael Robertson, and Walker's nephew, Montrell Lee, were traveling from her sister's house on Taylor Drive on June 6 around dusk, when they were pulled over by Iowa City police Officer Paul J. Batcheller and treated in what they call a "vicious" and "racially motivated" manner. Batcheller stopped Walker on South Gilbert Street near Stevens Drive for failure to stop at two stop signs, according to an Iowa City police report submitted to the Police Citizens' Review Board on Aug. 26. Batcheller said in the report that he saw a shiny object passed from the passenger in the right front (Robertson) to the passenger in the back seat (Lee). Walker said in her account she does not remember running the stop signs or being followed by a light blue Ford Taurus, Batcheller's unmarked police car. Walker reported the shiny object Lee was passing was a plastic crucifix he found at the UI Field House while playing basketball I of 4 10/7/98 10:59 AM earlier that afternoon and that he wanted to show it to his cousin. When Batcheller first approached the vehicle, he opened the passenger door without identifying himself as a police officer and made several attempts to get Walker and the others to step out of the vehicle, Walker told The Daily Iowan in a June 11 interview. But the police report to the board stated Batcheller approached the passenger side of the car, opened the door and identified himself as an officer. Then, he ordered Lee out of the car. Lee, unsure of what was going on, said on June 11 he was apprehensive of getting out of the car because he was "scared." Police reports state Lee "started to slide across the back seat away from the officer." But Batcheller said in the report the trio's hesitance about getting out of the car led him to believe their earlier movements were due to an attempt to hide some type of weapon or drug paraphernalia. Lee said on June 11 he thought Batcheller assumed they were gang members or drug pushers because of the officer's actions. "(Batcheller) probably assumed it was either a crack-pipe or gun," Lee said. Then, Robertson allegedly pushed Batcheller as he tried to get Lee to step out of the car. In the police report to the Review Board, Walker contends Batcheller began shouting at the family to get out of the car, saying, "Let him go, motherfucker, or I'll spray you." Then, according to both accounts, Batcheller attempted to remove Robertson from the car. In the Review Board's document, Batcheller said Robertson punched him in the chest in an effort to keep him away from Lee. Robertson said he was trying to protect Lee, but denied striking the officer. Batcheller charged Robertson with assault on a peace officer and interference with official acts after the incident. No formal charge had been filed as of Tuesday. Coralville attorney Vernon A. McKinley, retained by Walker to represent Robertson, and McKinley's associate, David S. Walker, are handling Walker's complaint to the Review Board. "What's so appealing about that case is you've got everything involved," McKinley said. "You've got issues of race, issues of legitimate problems on behalf of the law enforcement. Every party 2 of 4 10/"//98 10:59 AM involved in that situation has legitimate concerns." David Martyn The first complaint filed with the Police Citizens' Review Board came from a man who said he witnessed an incident of mistreatment by Iowa City police officers. George Gorbatenko, of St. Paul, Minn., filed the complaint with the Review Board on Aug. 4, 1997, alleging officers used excessive force in arresting Iowa City resident David S. Martyn on Aug. I, 1997, for public intoxication and obstructing officers. The Review Board concluded at the time that excessive force was not used and that the arresting officer's actions were justified under the police department's policies. Martyn ultimately pleaded guilty to both charges. According to police reports, Iowa City police Officers R.A. Mebus, Erik Lippold and Paul Batcheller saw Martyn on the Pedestrian Mall making lewd sexual comments to people passing by and ordered him to stop. When approached by the officers, Martyn ran off, but he was eventually caught and arrested near Clinton Street, south of Burlington Street, the reports stated. Martyn was then pushed to a wall and taken to the ground where he was handcuffed, according to the Review Board's findings. These were the actions that Gorbatenko said were excessive and unnecessary. "This cop runs him into the wall and brutally puts him onto the ground," Gorbatenko said. "Police officers shouldn't be doing these things. I was totally aghast." Gorbatenko said he witnessed the incident from a short distance away; he added that it seemed the only thing that Martyn did wrong that night was have too much to drink. "This guy couldn't resist if he wanted to," Gorbatenko said. "What I witnessed, in my opinion, was extremely inappropriate action under the circumstances. The guy ... wasn't brandishing any weapons or anything." Gorbatenko said his history as a volunteer in the Minnesota community corrections system and his knowledge of proper police responses to situations such as this one motivated him to go to the police station later that night to file the complaint. 3 of 4 10/7/98 10:59 AM The police investigated the complaim and interviewed witnesses. When Gorbatenko saw the police report, he said he noticed little discrepancy in the officers' interpretations of what happened. "Everybody who saw it, saw it the same way," Gorbatenko said. "They closed ranks." Martyn said he had no clue that a complaint had been filed until he was visited at his apartment by the officer investigating the complaint. Title: The Complaints [ Home Search Front Metro & Iowa Nation & World Viewpoints Sports Arts ] 4 of 4 10/7/98 10:59 AM Unt~tled Article http://www.utowa.edu:l$O/-~ily~owan/~ssue4v 130/~t2/stones/AO 103F.html October 7, 1998 SCAT: Going where the action is * In unmarked cars and plain clothes, SCAT officers are keeping an eye on illegal activity in Iowa City. Letters to By Rebecca Anderson the Editor Display & and Eric Petersen Classified Advertising The Daily Iowan Subscription Info DI Staff Much of the criticism aimed at the Iowa City Police Department Co,wight 1996 involves the actions of the Special Crimes Action Team (SCAT), the The Daily Iowan. new organization designed to combat the recent rise in gang and Copyright 1996 drug activity in Iowa City. Associated Press. Some police officials cite the May 25 gang-related shooting near the Broadway area on the southeast side of town, which resulted in the injury ora 17-year-old Chicago youth, as a primary motivating factor for the development of SCAT. Police ChiefR. J. Winkelhake chose seven officers to be a part of the team: Paul Batcheller, Chris Akers, Scott Gaarde, David Gonzalez, Doug Hart, Bill Hoeft and Sift. Vicki Lalla, who is the supervisor of the team. SCAT members usually work in unmarked cars and plain clothes, keeping tabs on the comings and goings of people they believe may be involved in illegal activity. As of late June, SCAT, along with the Johnson County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force, confiscated 79.11 grams of marijuana, 8 grams of methamphetamines, 119.7 grams of crack cocaine and four guns. In fact, since its formation, SCAT has been responsible for around 380 arrests, about 24 per week. Constant patrolling of the Broadway area has been effective and seems to have scared off some of the troublemakers, Lalla said, and added that SCAT is "here to stay." This was confirmed by a request by Winkelhake for a $450,000 grant to help fund the employment of six officers to replace the existing I of 3 10/7/98 II:02AM Untitled 9~rticle h t t P://wxw'v.ui°wa.edu: 80/'~dlyi°waa/issue~v 130/i72/st°ries/A0103 F'html SCAT members, who would go back to their regular duties. Although SCAT's main area of focus is on the southeast side of Iowa City, it is not confined to any certain area of town. "We go where the action goes," Laila said. The Silent Majority Although their enforcement tactics have been criticized as targeting minorities, Winkelhake said SCAT's officers are behaving exactly as they have been instructed to. He said focusing exclusively on minorities by SCAT officers is "absolutely prohibited." "We tell the officers to be firm, assertive and polite in what they are doing," Winkelhake said. "We are targeting behavior. Under no circumstances are officers allowed to make stops based on profiles." Despite known complaints filed with the Police Citizens' Review Board concerning SCAT's behavior, Lalla says a majority of local residents are happy it is around. "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback from people in the affected neighborhoods," Lalla said. "The general consensus from the people is that they are glad we are there." Additionally, there may be a big number of people who are happy with the performance of the Iowa City police but don't voice thek opinion. "Those are usually the people who stay silent," Iowa City police Sgt. James Steffen said. Title: SCAT: Going where the action is [ Home Search Front Metro & Iowa Nation & World Viewpoints Sports Arts l 2 of 3 10/7,98 11:02 AM October 8, 1998 Police board comes under fire * Its confidential work has some wondering about its decisions. By Rebecca Anderson The Daily Iowan Letters to In the year since its creation, the closed-door policies of the Police the Editor Citizens' Review Board have come under fire as some people begin Display & Classified to question its effectiveness as watchdog 0[the poli~.e,. Advertising Subscription "If all the information is kept confidential, how do we even know the Info complaints are being taken seriously?" said David Walker, a DI Staff Coralville attorney who represents Faith Walker, a woman whose Copyright 1996 complaint is under review by the board. The Daily Iowan. Corn, right 1996 Associated Press. Because the Review Board's work often concerns personnel issues, the names of the police officer or officers involved are kept confidential. Complainants' names have also not been made public. Protecting their identities makes others feel safe about coming forward, said Iowa City City Councilor Karen Kubby. "We have to remember there are human lives and reputations on all ends," she said. In 15 months, the board has evaluated 19 complaints; it has never released a review in favor of the complainant. A majority of the complaints that have come before the board have been fi.om one individual; looking at the Review Board's tendency to find in favor of the police does not necessarily mean the board is biased, Kubby said. Even so, she said she would also like to see some improvements in the reports that the board submits to the City Council, especially in explaining why it is not sustaining the complaints. Coralville attorney Vernon McKinley questioned the effectiveness and legitimacy of the board because "it has never been tested." 1 of 4 10/8/98 8:25 AM A0103F html hl~p://www.uiowa.edu:80/~dlyiowan/issue/v 130/i73/stones/A0103 F.html "(People) know this thing is out there, but nobody knows how it works," McKinley said. "Their legitimacy comes into question." Looking Over the Shoulder of the Police The board's newness has some believing the board is still trying to work out all the kinks. "There was a lot of discussion as to what it could be and what it could do," said Police ChiefR.J. Winkelhake. "I think it is still in the process of growing pains." Board member Leah Cohen said most people do not understand how much work the group did to learn the policies and procedures that guide it. The board plans to present a report to the City Council that will detail the work it has completed in its first year and ask the council to consider modifications to the current ordinance. One aspect of the board's code that has proved especially to be a problem is its 30-day rule, meaning that ifa complaint is brought to the board more than 30 days after the incident occurred, the complaint is not considered. The amount of time it has taken for the board to make a decision in the case involving Faith Walker is frustrating, David Walker said, and it makes him wonder if it is doing its job. "I, along with members of the public, want to know what exactly they're doing down there," he said. But members of the board have said they're working toward solutions. A public forum designed to discuss these issues is scheduled for Oct. 27. "We hope we can concentrate a little more on the review of the police department's processes," Cohen said. "That's why we're having the upcoming forum." But while many residents favor having an organization watching the police, some officers don't exactly appreciate the board looking over their shoulder. "I don't think (the board) is necessar3~," said police Sgt. Jim Steffen. "But if citizens think it's necessary, then it can be helpful." Other officers say they feel the department's complaint form is sufficient for city residents because the police have always handled complaints in a proper manner. The first person who filed a complaint with the board, George Gorbatenko, of St. Paul, Minn., said he was told by a police 2 of 4 10/8/98 8:25 AM A0103F.html http://w~wv.uiowa.edu:80/~dlyiowan/issue/v130/i73/stofies/AOlO3F.html dispatcher to seek another outlet when he went to the station. Gorbatenko said he had seen police officers handle Iowa City resident David S. Martyn with excessive force. "The officer was really rude and defensive in listening to the complaint that night," Gorbatenko said. Other officers said the board fills a void in the community for people who want to move further down the complaint chain of command. As an employee of the community, Officer Ron Gist said he wants an outlet for residents that he thinks is important. "I guess it's good if the citizens in the community need it," he said. Like any complaint process, people may extend the truth because they are upset with any given type of situation, Gist said. "It concerns me that I go out and do my job and do what I have to do, and there are a lot of people who make things up about police officers," Gist said. The Current Investigation Iowa City Faith Walker filed her complaint after Officer Paul Batcheller stopped her for allegedly running two stop signs. After he pulled them over, Faith Walker, who is black, alleges Batcheller treated them in a "racially motivated" and "violent" manner. In police documents, submitted to the board, Batcheller reported that Faith Walker, her son Raphael Robertson and her nephew Montrell Lee were hesitant about getting out of the car when he asked and that Robertson punched him in the chest. Robertson denies striking Batcheller. Batcheller refused to comment on the Walker complaint. A "name-clearing hearing" was scheduled for Tuesday night, which would have been a chance for Batchelier to address the board regarding the incident. Batcheller declined to appear at the meeting. Batchellefs no-show didn't necessarily mean anything, said board attorney Douglas Russell, who said, "To me, it's neutral." Faith Walker said she feels secure that the board will make an educated judgment on the validity of her complaint; she said she has not decided whether she will take civil action against the police. "At this point, I feel very secure," Walker said. "I believe justice will be served." 3 of 4 10/8/98 8:25 AM AOlO3F.html http://www.uiowa.edu:80/.-dlyiowan/issue/v130/i73/stodes/AO lO3F.html The board has 30 days to complete an investigation and review of a complaint. The ordinance allows it to apply for extensions if it feels further investigation is warranted. So far, the board has spent 75 days on the Walker complaint. While he couldn't say exactly when the investigation would be completed, board Chairman Paul Hoffey did say a name-clearing hearing generally means the board is nearing the conclusion of its investigation. DI reporter Rebecca Anderson can be reached at: raanders~blue.weeg.uiowa.edu Title: Police board comes under fire By: Rebecca Anderson Page: lA Date: 10/7/98 [ Home Search Front Metro & Iowa Nation & World Viewpoints Sports Arts 1 4 of 4 10/8/98 8:25 AM The Gazette, Ceda~rr Rapids, l_Owa: Sat., Oct. 10, 1998 3B*- Use of.force r. eport for Septemb !owa City .P. rOhC . _ . er shows ,o,.ao. co..t, oa. =e officers usea guns twice :IOWA CITY- IOWa City po- reached for the pepper spray,' lice Used their guns twice in Another 5)3 incidents according to the report. September, including once to listed in the report involve Another 23 incidents listed in, kill an injured raccoon, accord- officers using physical the report involve officers usm ing to a report to the City force, such as wrist , ucu as wrist Council. physical force s- '- ' g pressure, to make people who¢ The monthly use of force re- Pressure. Were Under arrest COmply with' port shows an Officer also drew ~ orders. his gun while checking a resi- Officers sprayed four people In two other cases, officers dence that had been burglarized, the report shows. Another per- used Physical force to escort with pepper spray in September, son Complied with an officer's people who had been Committed - to a mental hospital and Were orders when the officer merely refusing to go. Citizens boa.rd pre.pares to tackle pohce pohcies Iowa City panel seeks hand. input from residents The board Wants citizens to attend the meetings, both to By Lynn M. Tefft learn about the policies and to Gazette Johnson County Bureau raise questions, Bauer said. IOWA CITY -- After a year of dealing with administrative is- After reviewing a policy, dis- sues such as appointing a law- cussing it with Police Depart- yet and writing bylaws, the Po- merit representatives and col- lice Citizens Review Board will lecting public input, the board begin reviewing the policies of may decide the policy needs no the Iowa City Police Depart- change, Bauer said. Or, she said, merit. the board may suggest changes "(Board members) haven't had to the City Council. a lot of time to put into the review of policies, practices and The board will collect public procedures of the Police Depart- input on police procedures at its ment," said Sandy Bauer, ad- second public forum, to be held ministrative assistant to the Oct. 27 from 7 to 9 P.m. at the board. Newman Center, 104 E. Jeffer- The board will review policies son St. The board is holding this at regular meetings on the sec- forum closer to campus in hopes ond Tuesday of the month at of attracting more students, 6:30 P.m. in the lobby conference room of the Civic Center, 410 E. Bauer said. Washington St. Bauer said people who want On Tuesday, the board will to address the board that night take up the policy on building can put themselves on the agen- searches. A representative of the da by calling 356-$041 or signing Police Department will be on up at the door that night. The Gazette, Johnson County Today, Sunday, October 11, 1998, Page 1 PoliceThe [nsttrance company also asks for specific poli- "From our standpoint we don't let anyone work extra detail in our cies in other de- force uniform-that,s so simple," Win- partments, such kelhake said. as transit and public works, Requests for officers to work secu- Johnson said. rity at stores or other establish- i...~--l--' ,. Though the ments during their off hours are a rare, he said, though he did recently company cannot deny a request from a store at Cora] mandate the way Ridge Mall, the policies are , written, it does of- The city has never had a policy on City's insurance carder' fer suggestions, extra-duty and off-duty employment, Johnson said. RJ. Wlnkelhake but has addressed the question in details liabili[y list In the case of Police chief the officers' union contracts By I.~7~ ~ ~ the Police Department, the language with the city, Winkelhake said. the company is looking for is gener- Officer Kevin Hurd, who is Gazette J~ (~u~ BUreau ally less stringent than accreditation leading the policy review, is in IOWA CITY -- The City and its standards, he added, the process of writing a policy Police Department are most likely to Records show Iowa City has been on the employment issue. be sued regarding use of f~rce and the target of lawsuits involving Hurd said he has seen little pursuit of suspects, according to some of the issues the ~insurance need to revise many of the information from the city's insur- company has identified, department's policies, ance carrier. In October 1996 the city settled a Other policies, such as one on )ther issues likely to be the sub- claim for $1.5 million over the death handling exposure to communi- ~ ~ct of lawsuits, according to the of Eric Shaw, a case that involved cable diseases, have required insurance company, include arrests, use of excessive force by former coordination with the Fire De- search and seizure, domestic vio- officer Jeffrey Gillaspie. partment and state Department lence, sexual harassment, communi- The city paid $87,000 in Jamtary · of Public Health to avoid contra- cable diseases, citizen complaints 1997 to .settle lawsuits by two men dictions with their policies. and extra-duty or off<luty employ- who alleged they were the victims of ment of officers, excessive force by Officer Ed Police officials are taking the McMartin. warnings seriously. Overall, the Police Department They are using the list of potential' sees few claims, Johnson said. legal problems to prioritize their He said that while a fair number review of policies so that the poll- of claims are to be expected in some ¢ies are in accordance with accredi- departments -- transit, for example, tation standards, Police Chief R.J. with numerous buse§; passengers Winkelhake said. and lots of activity each day -- the goal in the Police Department is to ST. PAUL Companies, the city's have no claims. insurance carrier, asks to review "Iowa City has fared real well," he the city's policies in each of these said. "They're ahead of the curve;'! areas as a condition of insuring the- he said. city. The insurance company compiles WINKELHAKE SAID he is not its list of hot issues by looking at all surprised by the issues the insur- the claims fried against all the mu- ance company has identified, except nicipalities it insures, said Carlton for the extra-duty and off-duty em~ _,]~hnaan, of AW Welt Ambrisco In- ] ployment. surance Inc., the city's agent. That category includes officers Having firm policies in place lng assigned to special duty for a saves the city money in claims and private finn during the course of a -emiums, Johnson said. work day or being hired by a firm :'These are the areas that generate to work after hours. the largest claims," he said.