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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27 & 29 CommunicationOctober 23, 1998 ~>~ Pohce Ci~e~ Re~ Bo~d 410 East W~gon S~eet Iowa CiW, Iowa 52240 Dear PCRB, Please allow me to begin by thanking you for your hard work. Local media report that you folks are very busy; sorry, but t am compelled to add to your workload. I realize that you folks wilt always stay busy just reacting to complaints. I understand that this is perhaps the primary use of the tune of the PCRB. That is why I am suggesting that the PCRB attempt to move from being a reactive group to becoming more proactive. I would also like to try to change the focus from individual officers to system-wide issues. I know from experience that Iowa City has some excellent police officers. I also have no doubt that a majority of the officers are excellent. This is not about the employees; rather, we need to talk about the things that these good employees are being asked to do. My primary concern is priorities. What are the priorities of the ICPD, and why? Who decides them? Does anyone know? Are they written down? I am not talking about a mission statement here, suer as "protect and serve", but priorities. How many officers work in a given area at a given time? The answers to questions of this type are a key. If, for example, police do not routinely patrol the Ped Mall at 2 pm, someone has decided that the things that happen there at that tame are not a priority. Again, who decided this, and why? I ran a tittle experiment. I checked with three other City Departments. Each one could tell me what the priorities of that deparhnent were, and where those priorities came fi.om. Usually, there were groups of citizens involved (as in Planning and Zoning, for example.) I could not get this fi.om the ICPDi What are the priorities of the ICPD, and why? I am convinced that we need to continually ask these questions, then publicize the answers. Then the people will have some idea as to current police priorities. Once the people are informed, they can let the PCRB, City Manager, and City Council know how they want to be policed. In a representative govenm~nt, the citizens should have some say on these issues. Please find out the police priorities and the reasoning used for these priorities, and make them public. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Rod Sullivan 1733 Wilson Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5413 October 23, 1998 City of iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 Dear Mr. Atkins: The Police Citizens Review Board discussed your memorandum of October 19, 1998. The Board had decided in its previous discussions that it lacked the expertise to make a recommendation to the Council for the Police Department concerning an amendment of Section 8-8-6 E to allow the Chief or City Manager a longer period of time for the filing of their report. It seems to us that the Police Chief, or you on behalf of the Department, would be able to better analyze the Department's needs regarding an ordinance change. As you will note, the Board has asked for a change of Section 8-8~7 B(6) of the ordinance to allow 45 days as opposed to 30 days for the Board to issue its public report. The Board would not oppose a reasonable request by the Department to amend Section 8-8-6 E. However, the Board would strongly oppose an open-ended timeframe. We understand certain investigations may require more time, and the Board will work with the Department on this issue. Please contact me should you have further questions or concerns. Sincerely, Leah Cohen, Chair Police Citizens Review Board POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A ~oard of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5413 October 23, 1998 R. J. Winkelhake, Chief Iowa City Police Department 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 Dear Chief: The Police Citizens Review Board would like to discuss with you the issue of data collection on traffic stops. We would appreciate your input and thoughts on how we can best approach collection of demographic data on stops that do not result in a citation or written warning. The Board would like to incorporate this issue into our regular meeting on November 10. We are also hoping to hear your presentation on building searches at that meeting. Please let us know if this will fit your schedule. Thank you for your continuing assistance. Sincerely, Leah Cohen, Chair Police Citizens Review Board POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD ,A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5413 October 23, 1998 R. J. Winkelhake, Chief Iowa City Police Department 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 Dear Chief: The PCRB would like to receive a copies of the Iowa City Police Department Training Manual. We would like seven copies at your convenience. Thank you. Sincerely, Leah Cohen, Chair Police Citizens Review Board POLICE ~CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 4 I0 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5413 October 23, 1998 R. J. Winkelhake, Chief Iowa City Police Department 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 Dear Chief: As part of our ongoing review of the Police Department policies, procedures and practices, the PCRB would like to have a neighborhood forum. We would like to invite you to make a presentation on the SCAT team at this forum. The Board would like to set up the forum at the Broadway Neighborhood Center on December I or December 15. Would you please check your schedule and let me know the date that would best work for you. Thank you for your continuing assistance. Sincerely, Leah Cohen, Chair Police Citizens Review Board