HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Report FY2021
CPRB Annual Report FY 2021 – 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 2020 Meetings
The CPRB tentatively holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday and special meetings as necessary. During FY21 the Board held seventeen meetings and two Community Forums. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the meetings and forums were held electronically via Zoom. ICPD Policies/Procedures/Practices Reviewed By CPRB The ICPD 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 September of 2020 the Board held its twelfth Community Forum required by the City Charter. The forum was held electronically due to Covid-19 restrictions. Board members were introduced, and a summary given of the board’s duties. Vice-Chair Townsend read the correspondence received into the record.
The forum was then opened to the public for questions and comments. There were fourteen members of the public that spoke at the forum. Topics included the need for trained mental health professionals
to accompany police on calls, reducing police department funds, CPRB public awareness, public services available to victims of gun violence, escalation of violence in United States the June tear gas incident and the City Council hiring an independent investigation.
In May of 2021 the Board held its thirteenth Community Forum as required by the City Charter. The forum was held electronically due to Covid-19 restrictions. Chair Selmer read the correspondence received into the record, Board members were introduced, and a summary given of the board’s duties. Selmer then introduced Police Chief Liston. Chief Liston gave some background information about himself personally and professionally. He also spoke about it being a privilege to be back in Iowa City and be able to serve in this Community.
Selmer discussed proposed changes to the CPRB Ordinance that enhance its ability to provide effective civilian oversight to the Iowa City Police Department. Selmer summarized the 13 recommendations submitted for consideration to the City Council.
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The forum was then opened to the public for questions and comments. There were seven members of the public that spoke at the forum. Topics included gun free spaces, tracking demographics on use of force report, restructuring of the police department, OIR report, police and mental health issues,
Guidelink Center, CPRB public awareness, Relationship between Iowa City police and Iowa State Patrol, CPRB recommendations to City Council.
Board members spoke briefly about the complaint process and available informational pamphlets. Board Members
In October 2020 officers were nominated with David Selmer as Chair and Orville Townsend as Vice-Chair. Amanda Nichols was appointed in July 2020 for a four-year term. COMPLAINTS Number and Type of Allegations Eight complaints (20-03, 20-04, 20-05, 20-06, 20-07, 20-08, 20-09, 20-10) were filed during the fiscal year July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Three public reports were completed during this fiscal period (20-01, 20-03, 20-04). Two complaints were summarily dismissed (20-09, 20-10). One complaint filed in FY20 (20-02) and four complaints filed in FY21 are pending before the Board (20-05, 20-06, 20-07, 20-08). ALLEGATIONS
Complaint #20-01 Allegation 1 – Discourtesy.
Chief’s Report Findings: Allegation 1– NOT SUSTAINED
Board’s Findings: Allegation 1– NOT SUSTAINED The board affirmed the opinion set forth in the report of the police chief and/or city manager. Allegation 2 – Violation of Civil Rights. Chief’s Report Findings: Allegation 2 – NOT SUSTAINED Board’s Findings: Allegation 2 – NOT SUSTAINED The board affirmed the opinion set forth in the report of the police chief and/or city manager. Complaint #20-03
Allegation 1 – Discourtesy. Chief’s Report Findings: Allegation 1 – SUSTAINED Board’s Findings: Allegation 1 - SUSTAINED The board affirmed the opinion set forth in the report of the police chief and/or city manager.
Allegation 2 – Refusal to report or document a traffic violation. Chief’s Report Findings: Allegation 2 – NOT SUSTAINED Board’s Findings: Allegation 2 – NOT SUSTAINED The board affirmed the opinion set forth in the report of the police chief and/or city manager.
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Complaint #20-04
Allegation 1 – Discourtesy.
Chief’s Report Findings: Allegation 1 – NOT SUSTAINED Board’s Findings: Allegation 1 – NOT SUSTAINED The board affirmed the opinion set forth in the report of the police chief and/or city manager.
Allegation 2 – Excessive use of force. Chief’s Report Findings: Allegation 2 – NOT SUSTAINED Board’s Findings: Allegation 2 – NOT SUSTAINED The board affirmed the opinion set forth in the report of the police chief and/or city manager. Complaint #20-09
Summarily dismissed did not involve an Iowa City sworn police officer. Complaint #20-10 Summarily dismissed did not involve an Iowa City sworn police officer. 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 3 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 0 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 six 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 one of the reports: Complaint #20-01 –
The Officer failed to provide full audio and video of the interaction due to having deactivated his body
camera. Only partial audio and video were provided after the body camera was manually activated.
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The Officers actions were consistent with the current departmental policy and procedure for Body Worn Cameras and In-car Records. During the course of this investigation and reporting the Police department has amended its policy regarding body worn cameras. Deactivating body worn cameras
such as the officer did here now results in discipline for the officer including suspension and/or termination. The board fully agrees with this policy change Name-Clearing Hearings 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 no name-clearing hearing. 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 FY21 annual report a total of nine officers were involved with allegations against them. 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: (2) 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-64 (1) 65+ Disability: Physical (1) Mental None Annual Household Income: 100K (1) 75-99K 50-75K 25-49K (1) Under 25K Gender: Female (2) Male Other Sexual Orientation: (2) LGBTQ Heterosexual (1) Other Ethnic Origin: Black/African-American Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander (2) White/Caucasian Other Were you born in the United States:
(1) Yes (1) No Religion: Muslim (1) None Other Marital Status: Married (1) Single Divorced Separated Widowed Other * Information is reported as presented by the person completing the form.
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BOARD MEMBERS David Selmer, Chair Orville Townsend, Vice-Chair
Latisha McDaniel Jerri MacConnell Amanda Nichols