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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-1999 Minutes POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD MINUTES- May 11, 1999 Lobby Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Chair L. Cohen called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. A'I IENDANCE Board members present: L. Cohen, P. Hoffey, M. Raymond and John Watson. Board member absent: P. Farrant. Staff present: Interim Legal Counsel C. Pugh and Administrative Assistant S. Bauer. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by M. Raymond and seconded by P. Hoffey to adopt the Consent Calendar. Discussion followed. Item (e) of the Consent Calendar (copy of correspondence from Atty. Bruce Nestor to the City Manager, and response from the City Manager to Atty. Nestor) was deferred to Item 3 on the agenda. Regarding (d) of the Consent Calendar, the MATS course content guide, it was noted: Departmental Update included the citizens review board Use of Force Review included the explanation and distribution of the newly revised Use of Force General Order · An 1.5 hour on Diversity/Cross-Culture Communication taught by Sgt. Jackson and Marian Coleman · Hazard Communications included a review of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) sheets. Motion carried, 4/0, Farrant absent. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL None COMMUNITY FORUM REVIEW Regarding correspondence noted in the Consent Calendar (e), Chair advised that a Board member had expressed concern about their conversation with Mr. Nestor and what the Board member felt were exaggerations in his letter, One was in regard to the City Council disapproving of the forums; in fact, at one point in time only one City Council member expressed a concern about the forums. The other concern was regarding Chief Winkelhake's presentation to the Board and only taking questions from Board members and not members of the public. Chair Cohen informed Board members that prior to the forum, she and P. Hoffey visited with the Chief about his presentation, noting the Board's assumption that the presentation would be made to the Board and to the public, and that there would be a question and answer session after the presentation from the audience. In response, the Chief said that he was there to present to the Board only and that he would take questions from the Board only. Since the Chief expressed his intentions of taking no questions from the audience, Cohen and Hoffey concurred he didn't need to stay. In turn, Cohen informed Watson and Raymond that the Chief was going to address the Board only and did not intend to take questions from the audience. Chair reviewed the PCRB letters to the Chief which were quoted in Mr. Atkins response to Mr. Nestor. She acknowledged they could be taken either way. She stated it is important in the future that the Board be very thorough in communicating to the speaker what the Board expects. Watson stated that it was clearly the Board's intent to provide an opportunity for the Chief and the people in the community to have a conversation about the SCAT program, the current procedures and future plans. Watson expressed disappointment that the Chief did not take advantage of the opportunity regardless of the interpretation of correspondence. It was an opportunity that the Chief missed. Watson stated it is one of the Board's charges under the Ordinance to assist the Chief and the department in improving communications and communitv relations. The Chief had an opportunity to do that at this forum and he didn't take it. Watson feels it is the Board's responsibility, as representatives of the citizens, to make a statement about this matter. He recommended that the Board express its feelings to the City Manager and the Chief about this matter in a letter. Following further discussion, Board members preferred to let the minutes reflect the Board's disappointment rather than reflecting that in a letter to the City Manager and Chief. Raymond stated the Board's expectations may not have been conveyed clearly enough to the Chief. In the future she recommended making exact expectations more clearly stated. Although the presentation did not come up to the Board's expectations, Raymond stated the community's participation did come up to the Board's expectations. Other comments regarding the forum included: The presentation itself was informative, with facts and figures, and an explanation why other officers are not spending as much time in that area any longer - 'where the crime goes, they go'. · The presence and the approach of the members of the department who came was appropriate and appreciated, considering that at the last forum the Board had some concerns about the impact of large numbers. · The Board had hoped for more attendance and participation from persons living in the neighborhood (there appeared to be a conflicting neighborhood meeting). · The sound system and the acoustics were poor. · The question remained whether there is a familiar officer(s) available in the neighborhood. Cohen stated she feels it is essential to have officers assessable who are familiar to adults as well as children. · The forums are worthwhile and they remain one of the board's major goals. COMPLAINT FORMS Legal Counsel stated she has received no further correspondence from the City Attorney regarding the information cards for the complaint forms. Chair noted her ongoing concern and disappointment that what was to be a simple, small card has now evolved into a lengthy sheet of information. Further consideration was deferred until a response is received from the City Attorney. 4 STATUS RE NEW LEGAL COUNSEL Interviews of candidates are scheduled for May 25, commencing at 7:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., in executive session. Candidates shall be sent a copy of the Ordinance, By-Laws, SOP's, and the PCRB brochure, together with some of the anticipated questions to be asked of candidates by board members (attached). The interview questions will be asked by the Chair, with follow-up from other board members. Direction was given to staff to invite the new board member (appointed by council on May 18) to attend the May 25 meeting. ANNUAL REPORT PLANNING Chair Cohen asked if Board members had any current concerns they want addressed in the annual report. Cohen requested that this appear on subsequent agendas. Staff suggested a target date of July 20 for the completion of the annual report so a final draft can be, approved at the July 27 meeting. MEDIATION FORM LETTERS Motion by M. Raymond and seconded by J. Watson to approve the mediation form letters. Motion carried, 4/0, Farrant absent. POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWS Committee member P. Hoffey reported a follow-up meeting with Chief Winkelhake scheduled for Thursday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. The subcommittee will subsequently report to the Board at its May 25th meeting. The Board requested that the committee ask the Chief if internal investigation interviews are routinely transcribed. MEETING SCHEDULE · Special Meeting May 25, 1999, 6:30 P.M. (agenda will include interview of candidates for Board legal counsel) · Regular Meeting June 8, 1999, 7:00 P.M. · Special Meeting June 22, 1999, 7:00 P.M. Hoffey informed the board of his expected absence for two weeks in July; Watson informed of his absence at the meetings on June 22 and July 13. PUBLIC DISCUSSION None BOARD INFORMATION J. Watson - submitted a Memo from a Goodwill employee to be included in the next meeting packet (suggestions for a gun buy-back program). L. Cohen - there have been no completed applications for the board vacancy. Chair encouraged board members to talk to anyone they feel would be a good candidate to fill Raymond's term. L. Cohen - attended a meeting at Regina High School at which Prof. Arthur Miller participated in a survey on binge drinking with junior high and high school students. The results of that survey were discussed, STAFF INFORMATION S. Bauer - The Board has received no response yet from Peter Uatthes regarding a presentation of findings on relations between University of Iowa students and the Iowa City Police Department, C. Pugh - has not received response to her correspondence of 4/29/99 to the City Attorney. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by J. Watson and seconded by P. Hoffey to adjourn into Executive Session based on Section 21.5(a) of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be 6 kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that government body's possession or continued receipt of federal funds, and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential personnel records of public bodies including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school districts, and 22.7(5) police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in the Code; and 22.7(18) Communications not required by law, rule or procedure that are made to a government body or to any of its employees by identified persons outside of government, to the extent that the government body receiving those communications from such persons outside of government could reasonably believe that those persons would be discouraged from making them to that government body if they were available for general public examination. Motion carried, 4/0, Farrant absent. Open session adjourned at 8:00 P.M. Regular meeting resumed at 8:20 P.M. Chair directed staff to forward a letter to the Chief requesting additional investigative information, to include transcripts of the complainant and the two officers involved in PCRB Complaint #99-02. ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by P. Hoffey and seconded by J. Watson. Motion carried, 4/0, Farrant absent. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M. Anticipated Questions 1. What are your reasons for applying for this position? 2. Have you thought about what issues are likely to arise from work with the PCRB? What is your expertise/experience in dealing with these issues? · Open Meetings and Open Records Law · City boards and commissions · Criminal law and procedure · Conflicts of interest 3. If the Board finds itself in disagreement with the City, how would you deal with representing the Board while being employed and paid by the City?* 4. What do you see as your role and time commitment for this position? The PCRB Standard Operating Procedures require legal counsel to be in attendance at all meetings whenever possible. Can you be available? * As amended by Chair L. Cohen