HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-2000 CommunicationPCRBIssues/Concerns
"Report Card" from City Council. We have assumed from the start that
the PCRB was designed as a semi-autonomous body. Although appointed by
and responsible to the City Council, we have thought and acted as if we were
also directly accountable to the citizens of Iowa City. We recognize and
appreciate that, for the most part, the City Council has treated us as semi-
autonomous and has allowed for a necessary degree of independence f~om
both Council and staff. We do believe, however, that the "arms length"
nature of this relationship has at times seemed to discourage open and
candid communication, and may have led to misunderstanding and
adversarial feelings at other times.
But we board members believe that a certain amount of ambiguity and
tension in our relationship with the city "goes with the territory" within
which the PCRB operates, and we just keep moving forward.
In keeping with our accountability to the Council, at our May I meeting, we
would appreciate a candid and constructive evaluation of our performance
against criteria and in terms that will help us carry out our charge as
effectively as possible.
Sunset Clause. Although the PCRB was established in the aftermath of the
Eric Shaw tragedy, we have assumed the Council had more than a curative
role in mind for it. We feel it will be difficult, if not impossible in the short
term, to quantify the positive impact the PCRB may be having. (In fact, it is
probably easier to quantify the costs, additional work, and the other
difficulties it may cause, particularly for staff). However, we hope the
Council will agree that there is intrinsic long-term value in the existence of
an independent body to review citizen complaints regarding police conduct,
to advise the City on overall performance of the Iowa City Police
Department, and to serve as a "forum" on community standards for police
performance and policy. We are confident that the PCRB will become a
source of pride for the City of Iowa City, just as the Human Rights
Commission has.
Cost of PCRB. Last year, we learned that some Council Members were
concerned about the cost of the PCRB. Since the PCRB's budget is small,
we assume these concerns refer to the amount of time the Police Department
and the City Attorney's office devote to PCRB business. We have developed
a process for reviewing complaints in accordance with the ordinance that is
thorough and fair to all involved parties, but is at the same time attentive to
costs. If there were no PCP~, the City would undoubtedly continue to incur
costs associated with citizen complaints against police officers. We also
believe that the PCRB may serve a loss prevention function, quite possibly
preventing or reducing police misconduct and the risk of civil action against
the City of Iowa City.
Participation/Cooperation of Officers. In recent months, officers that are
subject of complaints have consistently turned down requests to release
transcripts of interviews and offers to participate in name-clearing hearings
and mediation. While we understand why officers might prefer to exercise
the fourth amendment right not to release transcripts, we are troubled by
refusals to participate in mediation and name-clearing hearings. We are
particularly concerned that the police union has encouraged or directed
officers not to participate in either of these activities.
We would welcome the Council's perspective on all these matters.