HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-2001 Minutes POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES - June 20, 2001
CALL TO ORDER Chair John Watson called the meeting to order at 7:00
P.M.
ATTENDANCE Board members present: Leah Cohen, Paul Hoffey, Loren
Horton, John Stratton and John Watson. Staff present:
Legal Counsel Catherine Pugh and PCRB Assistant Sandy
Bauer, Also in attendance was Captain Matt Johnson of
the ICPD.
Motion by Cohen and seconded by Hoffey to move Item
2 of the Agenda to follow Item 9. Motion carried, 5/0, all
members present.
CONSENT
CALENDAR Motion by Stratton and seconded by Horton to adopt the
consent calendar as presented:
a. Minutes of 6/6/01 meeting
b. ICPD Use of Force Report - April 2001
Motion carried, 5/0, all members present.
NEW BUSINESS None
OLD BUSINESS
· Acknowledging receipt of NACOLE's membership
renewal, the Board directed Chair to correspond with
NACOLE regarding its past concerns.
· Chair reported on his attendance at a city council
work session at which the PCRB was discussed:
1. The majority want to have no sunset, but a review
every two years,
2. Policy review power only at the request of the City
Council, Chief or City Manager.
3. Right to hold forums
4. The ordinance will still include deference to the
Chief's expertise, but gives the Board authority to
comment in reports.
5. Eliminated PCRB assistant position, but kept legal
counsel.
Watson reported he has had a couple discussions with
Marian Karr about staffing, but is uncertain what the
final direction will be.
The PCRB will be on the agenda for the next work
session, June 25; first reading of the ordinance will be
at the council meeting on Tuesday, June 26.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION None
MEETING SCHEDULE
. Special Meeting June 25, 2001, 11:00 A.M.
· Regular Meeting July 10, 2001, 7:00 P.M. (Horton,
Watson and Pugh will be absent.)
BOARD
INFORMATION Cohen reported contact from a Daily lowan reporter.
STAFF
INFORMATION None
EXECUTIVE
SESSION Motion by Horton and seconded by Stratton to adjourn
into Executive Session based on Section 21.5(1 )(a) of the
Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are
required or authorized by state or federal law to be 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, 5/0, all
members present. Open session adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
REGULAR
SESSION Regular session resumed at 8:50 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by Cohen and seconded by
Hoffey. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES - June 25, 2001
CALL TO ORDER Chair John Watson called the meeting to order at 11:00
A.M.
ATTENDANCE Board members present: Paul Hoffey, Loren Horton, John
Stratton and John Watson; board member absent: Leah
Cohen. Staff present: Legal Counsel Catherine Pugh and
PCRB Assistant Sandy Bauer, Also in attendance was
Captain Matt Johnson of the ICPD.
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Accept PCRB Report on Complaint #01-01
CONSENT
CALENDAR Motion by Horton and seconded by Stratton to adopt the
consent calendar as amended:
a. ICPD General Order - Field Interview and "Pat Down"
Searches
b. ICPD General Order - Search and Seizure
c. Copy of Memorandum from Marian Karr to Mayor and
City Council
d. Memorandum from Eleanor Dilkes regarding
Amendments to Police Citizens Review Board
Ordinance
e. ICPD General Orders Alphabetical Index (distributed at
meeting)
Motion carried, 4/0, Cohen absent.
NEW BUSINESS None
OLD BUSINESS The Board discussed the two memorandums in the
"consent calendar." Regarding Karr's memorandum,
Watson stated he has had conversations with her
regarding staffing for the board, and suggested the board
could become more administratively self-sufficient. When
polled "is the board willing to be more self-sufficientT",
Stratton, Horton and Hoffey stated they were reluctant to
agree to do so, but would if necessary.
Following discussion, Watson was directed by the Board
to prepare a memorandum regarding its comments and
recommendations about the amendments to the PCRB
Ordinance, to include:
· The decision to eliminate the staff administrative
assistant position was made before the Council made
a final determination of the role and responsibilities of
the PCRB. Because it appears that the Council will
not alter the duties of the PCRB in a way that would
significantly reduce staff time, the City Clerk has
rightfully expressed her concerns about the additional
demands on her staff. The Board's concern is that
the Council will use the City Clerk's needs as a
reason to establish a reduced role for the PCRB.
· Council members have expressed concern about the
PCRB's involvement with policy review and have
asked that the Board's review powers be reduced. The
Board at present has no power to set or alter any
policy of the ICPD, nor does it seek such power. The
Board reviews policies for the following reasons: 1} to
enhance the Board's understanding of police policies,
procedures and practices in general, 2) to help make
informed decision regarding specific complaints, and
3) in response to public concern regarding a specific
policy, procedure or practice. The Board feels this
review power is an important and appropriate role for
the PCRB. The Board recommends that the wording
of Sections 8-8-2(N)[new O], 8-8-7(C)2, and 8-8-
7(C)3 remain unchanged.
· The Board agrees with the changes in Section 8~8-
3(D), which conforms to current practice, However,
the language of 8-8-5(A) seems to imply that PCRB
complaints have been filed with the Police
Department. The Board suggests clarifying language.
· The Board concurs with the changes suggested for
Section 8-8-7, including the additional paragraph in
Section B.2. However, the Board recommends the
following change to the additional paragraph: "...but
nonetheless has concern about the officer's conduct,
or Police Department policy, procedure, or practice, it
may so comment..."
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Watson and Stratton will attend the Work Session this
evening.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION None
MEETING SCHEDULE
· Rogular Moeting July 10, 2001, 7:00 P.M. {Horton,
Watcon and Pugh will be ob~ont.) Cancelled.
· Regular Meeting August 14, 2001, 7:00 P.M.
BOARD
INFORMATION None
STAFF
INFORMATION Pugh will be gone from July 7 to July 23. Pugh also
advised that she will be cutting back in her law practice,
and focusing on family law mediation. She will remain as
legal counsel to the PCRB.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION Motion by Horton and seconded by Hoffey to adjourn into
Executive Session based on Section 21.5(1 )(a) of the
Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are
required or authorized by state or federal law to be 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, Cohen
absent. Open session adjourned at 11:40 A.M.
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REGULAR
SESSION Regular session resumed at 12:23 P.M.
Motion by Horton and seconded by Hoffey to "not
sustain" allegation 1 in the PCRB's Report on Complaint
//01-01. Motion carried, 4/0, Cohen absent.
Motion by Stratton and seconded by Hoffey to "sustain"
allegation 2 in the PCRB's Report on Complaint//01-01.
Motion carried, 3/1, Horton opposing and Cohen absent.
Motion by Horton and seconded by Hoffey to forward
PCRB Report on Complaint//01-01, as amended, to the
City Council. Motion carried, 4/0, Cohen absent.
ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by Hoffey and seconded by
Stratton, Motion carried, 4/0, Cohen absent.
Meeting adjourned at 12:30 P.M.
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