HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2019 (FY19)
3 June 2019
Iowa City City Council
City of Iowa City
410 Washington St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Re: Community Police review Board Annual Community Forum
The Iowa City Community Police Review Board (CPRB) held the annual Community Forum on Monday,
April 29, 2019 at 6:00p.m. Board members at the forum were Chair Donald King, Orville Townsend,
Monique Galpin (Vice Chair), David Selmer, and Latisha McDaniel. Staff present were; Legal Counsel
Patrick Ford, Staff Chris Olney and Kellie Fruehling. Guest speakers were Iowa City Police Chief Jody
Matherly and Captain Denise Brotherton.
The forum opened with roll call and an introduction of board members. Chair Donald King read a brief
summary of the board’s duties and responsibilities. It was pointed out that brochures on the board’s
responsibility and how to file a complaint were on the table in the back of the room. The Chair then
introduced Chief Matherly.
Chief Matherly talked about the accreditation of the department done on a yearly basis and what it
takes to get and keep that accreditation. The department received 2 grants in 2018 totaling
$750,000.00, one for 2 years from the International Association of Chiefs of Police to study
sexual/gender bias in investigations. This should help officers with victim based approach to the
investigation. The other grant was for Data Driven Justice Initiative (DDJ). This initiative looks at repeat
offenders and how to break that cycle. Crisis Intervention Training for officers to do a better job to get
to root of problem instead of just keep locking people up. The Chief also talked about the crime statics
going down. Chief Matherly also set out the new mission statement for the department:
“To work in partnership with the community, enhance trust, protect with courage and compassion,
empower victims of crime through excellence in service”
Chief Matherly then introduced Captain Denise Brotherton, who is in charge of Support Services.
Support Services is everything non police related, but also the community outreach division. Capt.
Brotherton explained some of the department divisions that fall under her command, stressing the
community outreach division officers that should be seen more often out in the community as the
weather gets better. Capt. Brotherton had brochures that were printed in several languages, to help the
immigrant community with questions they may have in regards to the department and community.
The Chair then opened the forum to the public. The following appeared:
Caroline Dieterle wanted to show her appreciation to Chief Matherly for his work with the department.
She also discussed the deer population crisis with the city and DNR.
Ann Marie Drop asked about the DDJ Grants when received and when up. Rec’d 2018 and up 12/2019
DDJ funded one officer (Officer David Schwindt) compiles and sorts the data received.
Orville Townsend asked about police arrests during the football season. (7 last season)
Jeff Falk discussed the school board’s recent meeting about school resource officers and what the cost
associated with that would be and more complaints to the Community Police Review Board. Chief
Matherly stats showed 2017 had 81 visits and 2018 had 223 visits to the schools for various reasons. He
said that the school administration, parents and teachers should decide what is best for the schools.
At the conclusion of the public discussion, the Chair thanked everyone for coming and for their input
and stated that there were information packets on the table in the back.
The forum was adjourned at 6:44p.m.
Donald King, Chair
(Transcriptions are available at ICgov.org)