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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-1998 ArticlesI Cedar Rapids Gazette — March 10, 1998 polkas �rav1, w board -rejects Iowa city ma Basotte Johmon'.County Bureau 'OWA CITY' — The Police Citizens Review Board has sided with Police Chief R.J. Winkel - hake regarding three complaints filed by the same man last year. According to reports released by the board, the man alleged in complaints filled Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 that for years police had made unwarranted stops of his vehicle, watched his home and family, harassed him and deprived him of his civil rights. The board considered the man's complaints at eight meetings. The October complaint concerned a dispute between the gratr's wife and, a -,neighbor Ac- cording to the` ,board report athe myestigati officer decided ' charges were not 'warranted against either party and attempted the mediate the dispute. Siding with conclusions reached by Winkel - hake, the board ruled against the man's allega- tions that the police conspired to deny him his rights, were vindictive toward him and fabricated past charges against him. The November complaint arose from an assault charge against the man. The county attorney's complaints office, decided the charge was warranted after man's neighbor filed a complaint with the pol department. According to the board's report, the officer whai served the assault charge on the man videotaped' the arrest because the officer was concerned tli'e` man would make allegations against him. The board agreed with Winkelhake in ruling' against the mans allegations that police slandered him, attempted to incite him, used handcuffs that were too tight on him, videotaped his daughter and maliciously charged him and harassed him. The. man's December complaint concerned pq- r lice investigation oX�implaint that the man cut ng+,:off his naigi�bor yar while the neighbor``was jogging. Theeged that when police went to his doothey harassed him; denied him his n rights, subjected hun to ; malicious prosecution and cracked the glass in his front door. Siding with Winkelhake, the board rejected the 1 allegations. However, the board did state that it would be appropriate for the man to file a claim with the city finance department for the broken window. Iowa Cicy Press Citizen — March 12, 1998 Complaints against police stay at average By Cmig Lang The Press -Citizen The Iowa City Police Department received complaints from 12 citizens regarding police activity in 1997 — one more than the year before. Police Chief R.J. Winkelhake presented these fig- ures Wednesday to the Police Citiz ns' Review Board. Of the 12cmpiaints, on one resulted in dis- c }pIinary a;tion. In 1996, the department received 11 complaints, four of which Winkelhake resulted in some sort of discipline. Half of the complaints were unfounded, the report showed, meaning that the accusations by the complainant were dis- covered to be untrue. Among the others, Winkelhake said the investigations of the other five complaints revealed that an officer did not act inappropri- ately or that the complainant refused to cooperate in the investigation. The complaint resulting in disciplinary action was the first case brought to the five -mem- ber review board. The panel decided that Sgt. Jim Linn's response to a citizen's com- plaint on Aug. I was inappro- priate. Linn underwent coun- seling before the matter went to the board. Winkelhake said he does not think that the number of com- plaints can be used to make an Complaints about police ■ 1997: 12 complaints, one sustained ■ 1996: 11 complaints, four sustained ■ 1995: 20 complaints, one sustained ■ 1994: 13 complaints, four sustained ■ 1993: 10 complaints, one sustained ■ 1992: eight com- plaints, two sustained ■ 1991: 10 complaints, one sustained accurate assessment of the department. He said that com- pared to a police station, where it is difficult for a citizen to lodge a complaint, the 12 reports in Iowa City may be considered excessive. "I can't tell you if that's good or bad," he said. The review board did not make any comments about the complaint reports. In other business: ■ Winkelhake and the board discussed the PCRB's role in the drafting of policy to meet accreditation standards. Board member John Watson requested that the board not be asked to review every policy before it is put into effect The board decided that it would look at the policies it feels are most important. "That would be a lot of work with this group, and we have other matters to tend to," board chairman Paul Hoffey said of reviewing every policy.