HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-1998 Articles11� Dall, ""111
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EDITORIAL
Review board vital to city's future
The Police -Citizens Review Board held its first public forum on July 16 to "learn if the l6wa City Police
Department's performance is in keeping with community standards," as stated in its mission statement.
Just a few minutes at the inaugural meeting showed how vital the review board is to the future well-being
of the Iowa City community. Speakers raised some very serious issues and concerns that need to be
addressed by the police. These issues range from questions about racism and intimidation by the police to
the use of force and the infamous Eric Shaw case.
With Iowa City being one of the most educated communities in the country, it only follows that mature,
intelligent dialogue is the best way to give important matters the attention they deserve. Hopes run high
that the efforts of the review board will ease the tension between some members of the community and
the police. But public discussion can go only so far; action must be taken at some point to make change
happen.
Here are some suggestions that would make the review board more effective and, in the long run,
improve the relationship between the community and the police.
No� I Remove the "Sunset Clause" in the review board's ordinance. The clause mandates that the board
be terminated after three years unless re-enacted by the Iowa City City Council. The review board needs
to be around at least as long as the police department: forever. There will always be community issues to
address and improvements to be made in the police department. The police need to be kept abreast of
these issues and concerns. The community also plays an important role in making sure the police work
according to procedure and the community's standards.
No. 2: Publish a layperson's guide to police policies, procedures and practices so the community can have
a greater awareness of them. While a copy of the police department's manual is available for public
viewing at the civic center, the language is incredibly technical and filled with bureaucratic jargon. It
would be much easier for the public to understand a manual written in everyday language.
No. 3: Allow the review board to respond to a speaker's comment or question. The board is supposed to
listen objectively and then present concerns and issues to another panel for further review. However, it
would be helpful for the community to get a more immediate response. This way the speaker feels his or
her message is heard and understood.
No. 4: Publish a brief report on its progress implementing changes and investigating issues within the
police department. This way the community can be sure that its concerns are being addressed and taken
seriously.
By following these suggestions, the review board could go a long way to improve the relationship
I of 2 7/20/98 9:37 AM
Lhe DiuK lowan http, �Ns� LBON%a,edu dkio%%an issue , 110 0) stories A0503V hurni
between the police and the Community,
The review board will hopeftilly become a critical part of the community� its presence and role, to
encourage the public to speak freely and address issues of great concern to them, is long overdue and
greatly appreciated.
Rachel Ballweg is a DI editorial writer.
Title: Review board vital to city's future
Page: 5A
Date: 7/20/98
Home Search Front Metro & Iowa Nation & World Viewpoints Spqjj�__ A�s I
Coyrigh 1996 The Daily Iowan. <http://www.uiowa.cdu/--(Hyiowan/>
2 of 2 7/20/98 9:37 AM
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CR-COPPS ALSO emphasizes
communication between police
and other public agencies — city
housing inspection and animal
control, and county and state
family services, for example.
-Harrison mentioned a ren edl
house whose occupants �ave
drawn complaints of loud par-
t*s and heavy h-affic. After a
theeting with the landlord failed
to produce results, city housing
ilispectors were called in. They
fbund some -broken windows
jild other housing law viola-'
t1ons.
:So Harrison checked
(We to.GudAba proper ci,tatioa
for a letter to the Ja*ord.,NJ;,
:"I'm going to sencr-him- -
&tic6, - and if he 'AD"alt
,about it,1*it0_hf.. 4
? U '.1 F
.P n said. .,
+�he next major step will be'�
tiLken with the state Division of
Correctional Services, which
has landed a $28,000 federal
grant to hire a police officer
who will work with parole and�
lirobation officers out of an of-
fice in a Cedar Rapids neighbor-
hood.
Probation officers have knowl
edge about criminal histories
that police can use to flight
day-to-day crime. The team Will
trnck parolees and probationers
�LlSpeCtPd of re -offending.
We're really looking at that
neighborhood connection," said
Gary Hinzman. director of 6th
Judicial District Department of
Correctional Services.
Byrne said that police across
the country began discussing
alternatives to the by -then tradi-
tional preventive patrol tactics
decades ago.
In 1973, researchers tracked
crime trends in three Kansas
City neighborhoods. One area
received preventive patrol, and
another received three times the
normal levels of police patrol. In,
the third neighborhood, officer*
left the area after handling the
call that had brought them
there.
"Researchers found no signiff-
cant differences in crime or fear
of crime in any of the areas,"
according to a report prepared
by the Community Policing Con-
sortium, an information clear-
inghouse in Washington, D.C.
COMMUNITY policing ga'nV
momentum with the passage of
the 1994 federal cr e b e-
,i[in
priorT
1 s�o
flecting the politic� flie Df
President Clinton and Congress,
the bill created the Office of
Community Oriented Policing
Services (COPS) within the De-
partment of Justice.
COPS has distributed more
than $3.6 billion in federal aid to
9,000 departments to adopt com-
munity policing techniques. It's
part of Clinton's 1992 campaign
promise to put 100,000 new offi-
cers on the nation's streets by
2000.
Police Chief Byrne credits the
federal program with hastening
a change that would have hap-
pened anyway.
"It was sort of a catalyst and
probably sped things up, but I
think this change was inevita-
ble," he said. "Officers across
the county were becoming too
much isolationist."
Byrne is happy with his de-
partment's measured pace in
adopting community policing.
"This is the ground floo but
I haven't seen problemsi� ; he
said. "I think that is definitely a' 9
strong indication things am,
moving slowly and smoothly.",
CIO
16.
Z
16A The Gnefte. Cedar Rapids, J�s: Sun July 19, 19%
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Localp. Page 3A
Wednesday,
July 22,
Iowa C,,y Press-Cipzen
S 0 flots 0
ession domestic abuse
Police train to ease process of dealing with violence
By Larissa Ufsw
Vie Press -Citizen
It is a crime that happens 365
days a year. It is a crime against
a person. And it is frustrating for
all parties involved from the vic-
firn to the prosecuton
Iowa City police officers will
finish a three-day domestic vio-
lence training session today in
hopes of making the Process run
a little smoother. Last year, 105
reports of domestic abuse were
made to the Iowa City Police
"lepartment. In 1998, there have
eady been 73 reports made.
Capt. Tommy Widmer said
domestic violence is one area
where the laws are rapidly
changing. He said it is tough
enforcing the laws, but very
important. Widmer said it is
important for all of the officers
to have the proper information
when handling domestic cases.
Crisis hotlines
0 Domeoft Violenoe
Interver(don Projed Crisis
Lkm: 351-1043 and 1 -
800,373-1043
L)ornestic anuse caus am car-
ficult to handle, he said, because
they are unpredictable, emo-
tions are running high, relation-
ships are going on, and a lot of
tune and energy are invested.
Iowa City Police Chief K J.
Wmkelhake said the training is
for the entire department.
Officers from the Johnson
County Sheriff's Office,
Coralville police Department and
University Department of Public
Safety also were invited to attend.
Pete Cords, an instructor for
the Iowa Law Enforcement
Academy, said officers are
reviewing domestic violence
materials, codes of law and iss�
of dealing with victIms. as well as
learning about finmigration laws
and haw to select an interpreter,
Conis has been in law
enforcement since 1973 and has a
PILD, in sociology from Iowa
State University. For the last year
and a haX he hais provided train-
ing on domestic abuse to more
thari 3,000 officers, advocates and
attorneys through the S.TOY
Violence Against Women Grant.
Kristi Fatmarin Doser, edu-
cation director with the Domestic
Violence Intervention Program,
said police are required by law to
inform victims of their rights.
There is a Domestic Abuse
Response Team made up of a
staff member from the Johnson
County Attorney's Office, the
police department and DVIP.
Fortmann Doser said DART
See DOMESTICAA
Domestid
From 3A
increases the quality of invesugalion,�
support services, and make., sure there
are no holes in the process. She
referred to a new report, like a check
list, for domestic violence cases. The
new forms lay out the information that
needs to be gathered and are more
effective, Fortmann Doser said.
Laura Roan, an assistant attorney
general, talked to officers about new
legislature and threat assessment. One
of her primary duties is with the
Prosecuting Attorney Training Counsel.
Roan discussed with officers a
strangulation study done by the San
Diego City Attorney's Office where
more than 300 cases of domestic vio-
lence with choking were reviewed. A
large percentage of (he � ictims did not
show visible injury.
She said it's part of the control
issue for batterers. lt'ssayingg: 1 can
take you just to the brink then
decide whether you will rent n;.:.
Roan went over new laws and sce-
narios with officers. There is manda-
tory arrest in domestic assault cases,
but not in all assaults.
There are measures officers can
take to further protect the victim
from the abuser. For instance, in
cases of stalking or harassment, no
contact orders can be put into effect
for five years instead of the usual one
year.
Fortmann Doser said over the last
five years she has seen a dramatic
increase with the shelter. outreaches
and crisis calls.
"Domestic violence as an issue has
come to the forefront in many com-
munities," she said. "There are more
people looking for accountability and
resources for the victims.-
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The Dail% lowan
Friday, June 12, 1998
Police action
labeled 'vicious
M The Iowa City pollee are look-
Ing Into a famllo claim of
alleged police misconduct during
a traffic stop.
—ii�, learn City Folimi Department
mys it will investigate the complaint
of an Iowa City woman who says
treatment she received froin an offim
was 'dd*W and 'racially motivate
A an
two I
Walker mid she noticed she "
bjt:jW1oRo=by 3=11or's tight
b sw a half-milo
when she was pulled over on S.
Gilbert Street now Stevens Drive.
She said she did not run two stop
signs and was unsure why she was
being paw ever.
Immediately prior to being stopped.
lbes, had passed a I Much long silver
wmifts: to the front seat to show
Robertson, Walker all&
Sauladlor approached bar car and
opened the passenger side door wfth�
Ct,h1.anj=himjftWaHmr salt
is Lou prmsrct,�
him the crudes,
lfowsysr,lls�ll saslhsrsmmso
I Identifying him —if m a Poll -
am= when approaching the M.
Lee said he believes Batcholler
assumed the object being passed was
either a crack pipe or a am because of
the way the officer allegedly treated
him and his family.
UtabAw m1d he mtkad a
Walker said the officer allegedly
tried to pull Law out of the car and this
madvoted.Robertson to 'protect his
cousin (Lea) by pushing him away
am the cT.-
Satchel or said he saw this as
=behavim and than charged
-with smault on a peace ofil,
ow and hawfiermos with offAnd acts.
Robertson said it was at this point
that be was wrostleal to the ground by
now poll" centers. Batcheuer mid he
had called the mtra offi� for msb�
come after the family became unceep-
mativo.
Walker contacted Police Chief RLJ.
So FKM Pip 9A
June 12, 1998
6 - Tim Daily lows, - Iowa lc�a - Friday, lure 12,1998
CITY& STATE
rAtio
IM.i rdenilesiallpig nS
told that she and her ow would be
Shoulder nervously and coammw � it an Started as a trams stop, 1, ,
POUCE furtive movements,' Batchollor' BatchallOr smL marched, allegedly without an,
Carainued flim I said. 'Mat neakes xm,spparaham.�— Baccied dissamen with Walk, mplaselimarwhyttepuserebwas.
Whuldelmito after the incideaL She - sirs." or's reection to the situation. ban exaculml.
was coming am her sifftur�l house Ul Law Professor James J. -It-s base totally blown net of, Wbdmlhako said the locklew Ise,
an the 2ow his* of Taylor Drive. Tonalrooks said it appears the *111- propocdoo,* Betchadler sold. I ; holes looked al.
an was, in which the peace be" car had the right to search the Bateleallor else said Robertson Me �� raised by Faith
owpped up petrels after a May 25 vehicle. I I assaulted him with, be we, trying, Walker an being dealt with,"
shooting. 'Any time they ar, citing a mr, be investigate the type Orclidect Lee' W101131111110 =IIL
'We awre coming directly from they one search the cor and the bad in his hand. This alleged Such complaints are "not
Taylor Drive, and he probably dri .. �- 1, mkL -if that offiew has assault was the leatchaths, I ead I very often- by the Iowa
thought wo had just bought seems a fair probability of having an HOUR, said he Died the charges with City Polka, "Ad police 99L Mike
drop or something' said Walker. werrunting a search. they're and- Johnson Caurity JUVIMUS COWL
who is black. tied to it" : Before the alleged smault,'� -We do receive them, but ies�
Ratchiflier said he was merely � Ratcholler said his reaction to Robartme maid the allow throod-. none* bm� they dMil undw-
auspicious became of Lao's the car's passengers was not mod to wrod him and NIMMY him stand what an oakw&d.'h* Said.
and the skied he had man N&I.Ily mu'w,& with mass, 'Ones we mpiale, thlyre usually
'=he person looked over his. 'That has nothing to do with it.
III-c,ti. hitte /_,'. 11)9N 3.1
Police
board
d a 0
isnusses
charges
Most PCRB
complaints filed
by same man
By Brian Sharp
The Press -Citizen
Nearly two of every three
complaints filed with the Police
C i t i z e n s
IOWS City Review Board
have come
from one individual. The board
dismissed the latest allegations
in a Friday report forwarded to
Iowa City councilors.
Add in the man's family
members and the complaint total
reaches at least 14 of the 19
received since the board formed
last fiall. All complaints investi-
gated so far have been dismissed.
"I can assure you that each
complaint was reviewed as
closely as all the others," Board
Chairman Paul Hoffey said.
Confidentiality requirements
prohibit the board from revealing
identities of,�omplainams or offi-
cers involved. Police Chief R.J.
Winkethake fi� said the depart-
ment didn't have a history with
the man. Hoffey said Friday no
one officer appears to be targeted.
Holley said
the board is
spending a lot
of aim review-
ing these com-
plaints. At one
time, he said,
the board —
also wo king
t h r o u g h
bylaws and O'Donnell
other smin-up
details — met weekly.
-Aity Wine you open it up to
the community, you have to be
ready for whatever comes in:'
Councilor Mike O'Donnell said.
"'Do I think that we can limit
somebody when they think they
have been wronged? No I don't."
The rive -member PCRB
reviews Winkelhake's com-
pWnt investigations. It can rec-
ommend that his findings be
reversed or modified. Other
responsibilities include review-
ing police policy and procedure.
Board findings released
Friday state the following:
0 In a complaint filed March
3 1. the man alleged that an offi-
cer gave his unlisted telephone
number to a neighbor and also
contacted. harassed and ques-
tioned his employer about him.
The man also alleged the officer
,vave false information about
him to his employer.
The officer denied the alle-
.-ations.
0 In an April I complaint,
the man alleged that harassment
charges brought against him by
police and Cited by the Johnson
County Attorney's office were
knowingly false and malicious.
The charges, later compiled
into a single charge, alleged he
harassed his neighbors.
('edur Hapids (M�etle. June 13, 1998, 3H
Police Citizens
Review Board
N
nixes complaints
By Lynn M. TOM
Gazette Johnson County Bureau
IOWA CrrY — The Police Citizens Review
Board has ruled against a man who complained
that an officer harassed him at home and gave
false information to the man's employers.
In the March complaint, one of 11 the man has
filed this year and last year, the man alle4es that
an officer gave the man's unlisted phone number
to the man's neighbor and questioned the man's
employer about him.
The board noted that in investigating the
complaint, Police Chief R.J. Winkelhake contacted
the officer, but not, the man who filed the
IOWA CITY
complaint. The man requested that he not be
interviewed, the board noted.
The board reported that it found no evidence
that the officer had given the man's number to
anyone or contacted his employers. The board
denied the man's claim that his right to live in
peace was violated.
The same officer accused in that man's com-
plaint was the subject of another man's complaint,
also recently denied by the board, The officer is
not named but is referred to as "officer 880919."
In the second complaint, one of 12 filed this
year and last by that person, the officer is accused
of helping the man's neighbor stalk him. The man
also accuses the officer, along with rive other
officers, of filing false and malicious charges
against him.
This man also requested that he not be inter-
viewed, so Winkelbake interviewed only the
officers, the board potes.
-- I%p boar4 dsn*dA'O', Wilaalmll %it fi '*is
idFeharg% and#BtMW by officer Wig.
the bdo&d ruled, the ma)a *as not
denied the right 0 live in peace. , -
The board also recently dismissed a complaint
after. determining the complaint was not Med
wlthin,I
.R days Ot the UmVam.in question, as
'by the City. Cot*
rem'"
7he Ceder Rapids Gazette, June 18 1998,3B
'n 0 111
irwilce vonunue policy review
By Lro K 'relft
IOWA CYrY — The Iowa City
Police Department continues to to -
view Its ppll�dse to comply With a
national 66creditation process,
though the City Council has rat
changed Its position about paying
the fee for the department to be
officially accredited.
Police Chief R.J. Winkelhake said
he expects the policy review to be
complete in two to 2% years. Coming
into compliance with the accredita-
tion proosse means meeting more
than 40D standards, he said-
Councamomber Connie Champion
mid she it bothered that the city has
not decided to pay the fee to be
IOWA CITY
accredited. The council dropped the
Idea due to cost concerns last aurn.
met before Champion was elected.
The cost was estimated at $80.000
to 870.WD, including the SIZOOD that
would be paid to an outside agency
for the accreditation process and the
cost of assigning a full-time ofter to
assemble the necessary material.
Council member Karen Kubby said
meeting the standards is its own
reward, while Mayor Ernie 1,ehman
said the city likely will officially
seek the accreditation someday.
Accreditation was one of several
topics taken up at a special council
meeting Wednesday on police issues.
The council also decided to direct
the Police Department to provide as
much training as possible for non-vi . -
olent responses to situations.
Kubby said she believes more em.
phasis should be placed on these
non-violent response noting that it
is a trend nationwid:1 Other council
members said they believe the de-
partment is sufficiently dedicated to
using the least force possible in any
situation.
City Manager Steve Atkins said
the amount of force officers use is
under more scrutiny than ever with
the department's monthly use -of -
force report. Any time an officer
uses force, from forcing someone's
hands behind his back to pulling 9
gun on a person, the officer must file
a report.
Those reports are reviewed b�
Winkelhake and department supervi
sors, then compiled in one report
forwarded to the City Council.
"For each incident the officer has
to explain 'what happened? why did
you do it? what happened after
ward?"' Atkins said.
Council member Bee Vanderhoet
said one thing the monthly repor
shows her is that for Iowa City*s size
and the number of calls to which the
Police Department responds. officer
are using force in a relatively lo%
number of situations.
Iowa City ftss-Cidzen, June 18 1998,3A
PMe �AN'to im'prove commumty semce
ftum amp U. --
nW Pftwicwm
a .." friendly Wal unproved
police form in the near future if
policy reviews by the city
carried om
In a Vkdnesday Iowa City
� Council meet-
JoWis CRI ins, coun.
C i I o r s
reviewed several policy guide-
lines. aimed to help the force in
its accreditation efforts and to
improve commanuty policing.
Council guidelines include
enhancement of nonviolent
policing methods, improved
oommonruty, standards and ansib,
Heliniant of a , unk within
die ,
Polka Chid RJ. Winkelhake
inlinn, die council die No
department has named every
officer in nonviolent methods for
managers smusborks.
Them is a clear requirement
that an officer needs to explain
my use of force Afinkelhake
said. 'Ve also review situations
where officers; have hod to use
form to me how we could have
handled the siltustion better"
Winizilhake said the depart-
mcurt also win training officers
to matters related to cultural
diversity.
"It is important to this court-
cil that our police deliortment be
proficient in nonviolence:'
Mayor FAIM Uhmon said.
Councillor Karen Kubby
asked the police department to get
m Much with other police depart -
I= =Wagawiesindw�try
thativiveembracerithenonviolent
philosophy Kubby also suggested
the department review its mitsion
statement to affirm its commil-
to sanctity Of lifie.
Winkelhake informed the
council dug one of the ways his
department was improving
community policing was by
focusing on small issues.
"If you have a broken win-
dow or broken cars in a neigh-
bothood and you don't do any-
thing about it. you will sonn
haw a lot of such cases in that
arva:� he said. 'Uw philosophy
is to ackbess such small issues
quickly. They help in making
the community a lot safer."
Tlw meeting also asked the
department to furnish the coun-
cil with details related to estab-
lishing a canine unit. The
department hopes to acquim, a
dog for rims sniffing and track -
ins purposes.
Counclors also discussed a
city crisis -response plan to be
used in case of a disasuer and
agreed them was need for the
council to be more: visible to the
public in times of crisis.
Kubby said a resp� plan
also could help deal with situa-
trons sitch as the August 1996
fatal police.4tooting of Iowa City
arrist and bustnessman Eric Shaw.
"When Eric Shaw was shot
by a public employee. we didn't
validate the people's feelings:'
she said. "We just sat them like
stone stames. Them were things
vve could haw done that would
have helped (he community
emotionally.-
( eartr H(picA ( JUnC ' . . I ""S, 10hfl�011 ( ()Utlt� page i
Lyle
Muller
Gazette
bureau
chief
F�Vc� (Don
Iowa City
Police reviews
by city board
yield no fires
OWA CITY — Since last fall
one man had filed close to a
dozen complaints with Iowa
City's Police Citizen Review
Board about the behavior of
Iowa City police.
His complaints included that
police continued to leave
messages on his telephone's
voice message machine when he
had told police not to call him.
The officer in this instance was
investigating a previous
complaint filed by the man and
frad to call, the review board
determined.
Like it did with all the man's
complaints, the board dismissed
the complaint.
Fact is, the tive-member
Police Citizen Review Board has
�pent most of its short life
hearing marginal complaints
[roin the same few people. All
the complaints have been
dismissed.
However, and unfortunately
tot, those who envisioned the
board as providing some light of
djy on how police behave. the
board's five members have
%�orked in relative secrecy.
Under the rules adopted bv
ill(? City COUnCil tot, the board
there are no public hearings oil
complaints the board hears.
Natines of the people involved.
)olice and complainants alike,
1,0111ain anonymous in written
summaries sent to the Iowa City
( ouncil and reve�ded to the
public.
There are reasons of fairness
and privacy for that. Maybe the
closed nature of the proceedings
is just as well, considering the
complaints the board has heard
so far.
One man had filed nine
complaints by
mid -spring.
He had been
harassed by
police serving
him with
outstanding
misdemeanor
charges, the
man said in
one
complaint.
Paul Noffey Police
Heads board trespassed
when they tried to contact the
man at his home, he said in
another complaint.
In each case the Police Citizen
Review Board dismissed the
complaints.
So far the board has not seen
anything near the kind of
problem that sparked its
creation 10 months ago --
questionable judgment that led
to a serious act of violence. The
board was created in the
aftermath of the Aug. 30, 1996,
fatal shooting by a police officer
of Iowa City artist and business
operator Eric Shaw.
Despite the closed -door
guidelines for Police Citizen
Revie,A Board's proceedings. an
opportunity exists to talk in
public with the board when it
hosts a community forum from
to 9 p.m. on Jum,29.
The forum is scheduled in
meeting room A of the Iowa City
Public Library. Another is
planned tot' Oct. 27.
WO re 110[dol" to.)LlSt listen to
hat cilizvIls ll;iv(. to say,- says
P�Rll Hotfo%. thv foiniel Cedar
Falls police officer Who is
chairman of the review board.
We're interested in their
(oniments regarding policies
and procedures and practices of
the Iowa City Police
Oepartnient."
Specific complaints will not be
heard, however. Hoffey says to
file a complaint for that. Forms
are at the city clerk's office,
public library, police
department and at the review
board's office at the Senior
Center, which is open Mondays
and Fridays.
At the June 29 forum, You will
get five minutes to make your
point. People who want to speak
may sign up in advance and also
may sign up 30 minutes before
the forum starts.
Written comments will be sent
to the board if the city receives
them by Monday.
Overall, Hoffey says, he thinks
the process is working. The fact
that one person, in particular,
has filed a lot of complaints has
made him interested in hearing
other public comments at the
forum, he says.
'I think it's going to be very
interesting."