Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Report FY2018 CPRB Annual Report FY 2018 – Approved 7/23/2018 – 1 COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES Established in 1997, by ordinance #97-3792, the Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board formerly known as Citizens Police Review Board and now known as Community Police Review Board (hereafter referred as the CPRB), consists of five members appointed by the City Council. The CPRB has its own outside legal counsel. The Board was established to review investigations into claims of police misconduct, and to assist the Police Chief, the City Manager, and the City Council in evaluating the overall performance of the Police Department by reviewing the Police Department’s investigations into complaints. The Board is also required to maintain a central registry of complaints and to provide an annual report setting forth the numbers, types, and disposition of complaints of police misconduct. The Board shall hold at least one community forum each year for the purpose of hearing citizens’ views on the policies, practices and procedures of the Iowa City Police Department. To achieve these purposes, the Board complies with Chapter 8 of the Iowa City Code and the Board’s By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines. ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 Meetings The CPRB tentatively holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday and special meetings as necessary. During FY18 the Board held fourteen meetings and one Community Forum. ICPD Policies/Procedures/Practices Reviewed By CPRB The ICPD regularly provided the Board with monthly Use of Force Reports, Internal Investigation Logs, Demographic Reports and various Training Bulletins. The Department also provided various General Orders for the Board’s review and comment. A senior member of the Police Department routinely attended the open portion of the CPRB meetings, and was available for any questions Board members had regarding these reports. Presentations In April of 2018 the Board held its tenth Community Forum as required by the City Charter. Board members were introduced and a summary given of the boards duties. Chair Townsend then introduced Police Chief Matherly. Chief Matherly presented an overview of the police department and spoke on the steps being taken for police and community unity. Officer Colin Fowler gave a summary of the Downtown Liaison Officer’s responsibilities. The forum was then opened to the public for questions. There were four members of the public that spoke at the forum. Topics included the need for enforcement of vehicles blocking handicap sidewalk ramps, opioids and fentanyl crisis in the US, role of the downtown night Mayor. Board members spoke briefly about the complaint process and available informational pamphlets. Board Members In October 2017 officers were nominated with Orville Townsend as Chair and Don King as Vice-Chair. Royceann Porter was appointed in January 2018 to fill the unexpired term of Mazahir Salih. CPRB Annual Report FY 2018 – Approved 7/23/2018 – 2 COMPLAINTS Number and Type of Allegations Three complaints (17-03, 17-04, 18-01) were filed during the fiscal year July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018. Three public reports were completed during this fiscal period (17-01, 17-03, 17-04). One complaint was withdrawn by Complainant (17-02). One complaint filed in FY18 is pending before the Board (18- 01). Allegations Complaint #17-01 1. Failure to properly investigate the incident and take proper police action – NOT SUSTAINED. 2. Discourtesy – SUSTAINED. Complaint #17-03 1. Discrimination – NOT SUSTAINED. Complaint #17-04 1. Discrimination – NOT SUSTAINED. Level of Review The Board decided, by simple majority vote, the level of review to give each report, selecting one or more of the six levels specified in the City Code per complaint: Level a On the record with no additional investigation 2 Level b Interview or meet with complainant 0 Level c Interview or meet with named officer 0 Level d Request additional investigation by Chief or 1 City Manager, or request police assistance in the Board’s own investigation Level e Board performs its own additional investigation 0 Level f Hire independent investigators 0 Complaint Resolutions The Police Department investigates complaints to the CPRB of misconduct by police officers. The Police Chief summarizes the results of these investigations and indicates in a report (the Chief’s Report) to the CPRB whether allegations are sustained or not sustained. (If complaints are made against the Chief, the City Manager conducts the investigation and prepares and submits the reports.) The Board reviews both the citizens’ complaint and the Chief’s Report and decides whether its conclusions about the allegations should be sustained or not sustained. The Board prepares a report which is submitted to the City Council. Of the four allegations listed in the three complaints for which the Board reported, one was sustained. The Board made comments and/or recommendations for improvement in police policy, procedures, or conduct in two of the reports: Complaint #17-01 – After the Board members reviewed the audio/video recordings of the incident it was determined that Officer A was discourteous while talking with the complainant. The Board felt that additional departmental training is needed on communication focusing on legal aspects of the incident, rather than engaging in personal reprimands. Complaint #17-03 – While the Board did not sustain the allegation of discrimination, they did question the information the Officer volunteered to the witnesses regarding the Complainant’s prior behavior with another landlord. If that information is confidential it should not be disclosed. Name-Clearing Hearings CPRB Annual Report FY 2018 – Approved 7/23/2018 – 3 The ordinance requires that the Board not issue a report critical of the conduct of a sworn officer until after a name-clearing hearing has been held. During this fiscal period, the Board scheduled one name-clearing hearing, but none were held. Complaint Histories of Officers City ordinance requires that the annual report of the CPRB must not include the names of complainants or officers involved in unsustained complaints and must be in a form that protects the confidentiality of information about all parties. In the three complaints covered by the FY18 annual report a total of three officers were involved with allegations against them. ICPD Internal Investigations Logs The Board reviewed the quarterly ICPD Internal Investigations Log, provided by the Chief of Police. COMPLAINT DEMOGRAPHICS The following is demographic information from the three complaints that were completed in this fiscal year. Because complainants provide this voluntarily, the demographic information may be incomplete. Age: 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 (1) 56-64 65+ Disability: (1) Physical Mental None Annual Household Income: 100K 75-99K 50-75K 25-49K (1) Under 25K Gender: Female (1) Male Other Sexual Orientation: LGBTQ Heterosexual (1) Other Ethnic Origin: (1) Black/African-American Hispanic (1) American Indian/Alaska Native Asian/Pacific Islander White/Caucasian Other Were you born in the United States: (1) Yes No Religion: (1) Muslim None Other Marital Status: Married (1) Single Divorced Separated Widowed Other * Information is reported as presented by the person completing the form. BOARD MEMBERS Orville Townsend, Chair Don King, Vice Chair Royceann Porter / Mazahir Salih Monique Green David Semler