HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-30-1999 CommunicationMarch 23, 1999
Ms. Catherine A. Pugh
Stein & Pugh LLC
221¼ E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240 CITY OF I0 WA CITY
Re: PCRB
Dear Catherine:
By memorandum of February 25, 1999 from Sandy Bauer, Assistant to the PCRB, I received a draft
of the information cover sheet for the Police Department complaint form and the PCRB complaint
form. Enclosed you will find a revised draft of that form which I have prepared. I have made additions
to both sections, and in doing so have attempted to accommodate the often competing needs for
simplicity and accuracy. I am concerned that providing too little information will lead to
misunderstandings and/or unreasonable expectations. I have added the following information:
a. The fact that the PD form will not necessarily generate a formal internal affairs
investigation while the PCRB form will.
b. Only the Police Chief has authority to discipline.
c. Although the entire PCRB process will take longer the complainant will receive the
Police ChieFs report prior to receiving the PCRB's report.
d. The PCRB makes decisions using a "reasonable basis" standard of review.
e. The PCRB does have the right to release names in the case of a sustained ["upheld"
used in draft form] complaint.
f. Reference to the actual PCRB ordinance for more details.
I consider the form to be a work in progress and welcome further discussion with the PCRB.
Please extend my appreciation to the Board for its recent thank-you letter.
I look fon~vard to working with you in connection with these matters while you serve as the PCRB's
attorney.
Eleanor M. Dilkes
City Attorney
Enclosure
cc: Marian Karr, City Clerk
Steve Atkins, City Manager
R. J. Winkelhake, Police Chief
Sarah Holecek, First Assistant City Attorney
eleanor/Itr/pugh3 doc
YOU WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT AN IOWA CITY POLICE OFFICER.
WHICH COMPLAINT FORM SUITS YOUR PURPOSE?
There are two different complaint forms. The type of form you choose determines who is involved in the
investigation of your complaint and to what extent the results of the investigation will become public.
1. Iowa City Police Department Complaint Form
If you use the Police Department form, the Iowa City Police Department will determine how the complaint
should be addressed and what type of investigation [s necessary. Depending on the nature of the
complaint, the investigation may be informal, such as a discussion between you and the officer's
supervisor, or it may be a formal internal affairs investigation in which you, the officer(s) and witnesses
ere interviewed and a formal written report detailing the findings and conclusions of the investigators is
prepared for review by the Police Chief. You will be notified of the outcome of the investigation.
Generally, the investigation is considered a non-public, confidential record as is any officer discipline which
may result from the findings of the investigation. By law, the Police Chief decides whether and how an
officer will be disciplined. Complaints filed on this form are not reviewed by the Police Citizens' Review
Board and are generally handled within the Police Department.
When you use this type of form it usually takes between a week and 90 days for you to receive a final
response from the Police Department.
2. Police Citizens' Review Board (PCRB) Complaint Form
If you use the PCP, B form, your complaint will be investigated by the Iowa City Police Department. In
every case, the Police Department will conduct a formal internal affairs type of investige, t[on. As soon as
you file your form, the PCRB will receive a copy of it, so they know your complaint is being investigated.
When the Police Department has finished its investigation, the Police Chief will prepare a written report
for the PCRB and will send a copy of that report to you and the officer involved. The PCRB reviews the
Chief's report and determines what, if any, additional information or investigation the PCRB needs to make
a decision. The Board may conduct its own investigation. After reviewing/investigating the Chief's report,
the PCRB determines if the Chief's conclusions are reasonable and issues a public report to the City
Council. You will be notified of the outcome of the PCRB's review.
The PCRB handles its work with complaints confidentially. Generallly, the PCRB's report to the
City Council will not include your name or the officer's name although the PCRB does have the right to
include your name and the officer's name in the report if the complaint is upheld. The media may report
information about PCRB decisions.
The PCRB has no authority to discipline an officer, though the PCRB may comment generally as
to whether discipline is appropriate.
When you use this type of a form it usually takes between 60 and 90 days to receive the Police Chief's
report and between 4 to 5 months to receive the PCRB's final report.
If you would like further information regarding the procedures and authority of the PCRB, please see the
PCRB Ordinance, Iowa City Code Chapter 8-8, available in the City Clerk's office.
If you have questions about choosing a form, contact the Police Department (356-5275 or the PCRB
Office (356-5413)
The City of Iowa City
WHEN: April 28, 1999
TIME: 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.
WHERE: Broadway Neighborhood Center
2105 Broadway Street
Iowa City
SPEAKERS: Sign-up will be available at the forum
The PCRB invites YOU to attend a community forum soliciting comments about policies,
procedures, and practices of the Iowa City Police Department. We want to learn if the Iowa
City Police Department's performance is in keeping with community standards.
R. J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police, will make a presentation on the Special Crimes Action
Team and other issues of interest to citizens living in the Broadway area.
The PCRB will use suggestions and recommendations from the forum as we determine the
focus and direction of our work.
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5413
Mamh 11, 1999
R. J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police
Iowa City Police Department
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Dear Chief Winkelhake:
The members of the Board are looking forward to your attendance at the PCRB
Community Forum on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, at 7:00 P.M., at the Broadway
Neighborhood Center.
With regard to your presentation at the forum, the Board feels you may wish to
address police related concerns that are inherent to the neighborhood and what
measures the police department is taking to deal with them. These concerns and
measures could include, but not necessarily be limited to: types and frequency of
crimes, police public relations and prevention programs, enforcement activities,
results and outcomes which you believe would be of interest to those citizens living
in this area of the city.
Because of the nature of your presentation, we expect a question and answer
session will follow. However, I want to limit your participation to thirty (30)
minutes so that the remainder of the time will be available for comments t(~ the
Board.
If there is any information you would like to appear on the notice for this forum,
please let me know by the week of March 22. Feel free to contact me if you have
any questions.
Very truly yours,
Leah Cohen, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: Steve Atkins, City Manager
Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney
MEMORANDUM
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
DATE: March 25, 1999
TO: PCRB
FROM: Marian K. Karr
RE: Update on Legal Counsel Search
Attached is a copy of the revised job description for PCRB legal counsel. Ads will be run
in the Iowa City Press Citizen 3/20-26/99 and the Cedar Rapids Gazette on 3/21/99.
The ad also appears on the Iowa City web page at www.iowa-ci _ty.com/citv/persmmel.
Copies have been sent to:
Linn County Bar Association President Darrel A. Morf
Johnson County Bar Association President John T. Nolan
Drake University Law School Career Services
University of Iowa College of Law Career Services-Law Placement
All resumes will be forwarded to you at the end of the advertising period.
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD (PCRB) ATTORNEY
Independent legal counsel to PCRB. Licensed attorney with exper/ence with criminal law and municipal
boards and commissions important. Duties include: advise PCRB on operation of city ordinance, by-laws
and standard operating procedures, criminal law and procedures, Iowa Public Records Law, Iowa Open
Meetings Law, review PCRB reports, memoranda, correspondence, interaction with Board members, City
Attorney, City Clerk, City Staff, City Council, citizens and police. Attendance at all meeting required.
Send resume and salary information no later than 5pm, April 19, 1999, to Marian K. Kart, City Clerk, 410
E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240. The City is an equal opportunity employer.
City of Iowa City
MEMORANDUM
DATE: March 8, 1999
TO: Staff of City Boards and Commissions
FROM: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk ~
RE: Absence Policy for City Boards and Commissions
The City Council Rules Committee has proposed a City wide Board and Commission
Absence Poller. After discussion the City Council recommended input on the following
proposal prior to Council action. Please review the policy with your Board or
Commission and submit written comments to me by April 30.
I. Absence of a board or commission member from more than 20% of the
meetings in any successive 12 month period after the date of their appointment
shall constitute just cause for removal from office. After notification from the
staff of a Board or Commission of such absence, the City Clerk will advise City
Council in writing and provide a copy to the board or commission member.
2. In accordance with Chapter 372.15 of the Code of Iowa, persons appointed to a
Board or Commission by the City Council may be removed only by that body.
Such removal must be by written order (resolution) filed with the City Clerk with
a copy sent to the member by certified mail. The order must set forth the reason
for the removal and must explain that it is subject to the right of the member,
within thirty (30) days from the mailing date, to file with the City Clerk a request
for a hearing before the City Council on all issues related to the removal. The
hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days of the date the request is filed, unless
the member involved requests a later date. In the event no hearing is requested
the order for removal stands and a vacancy is aunouneed on that Board or
Commission.
3. A Board or Commission member who has accumulated one-half of the
maximum number of permitted absences will receive from the City Clerk, upon
notification from the staffofa Board or Commission of such absence, a written
reminder of this policy. Such reminder will be sent prior to the next meeting of
the Board or Commission.
absence.doc
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5413
FORM LETTER A
Date
R. J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police
and/or
Steve Atkins, City Manager
Dear xxxxxx:
The Police Citizens Review Board has received Complaint #99-xx filed on xxxxx xx,
1999. This complaint appears to be an untimely complaint and will be reviewed by
the Board at its next meeting.
The Board will advise you of its status after their review.
Sincerely,
Leah Cohen, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: PCRB
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
{319)356-5413
FORM LETTER B
Date
Dear xxxxxx:
The Police Citizens Review Board has received your Complaint dated xxxxx,
xx,1999 regarding an incident that took place on xxxxxx, xx, 1999.
Under Section 8-8-3 D of the City Code of Iowa City, the PCRB can only consider
complaints brought within 60/90 days of the incident complained of. It appears
from your complaint that it is possible that your complaint was filed too late for the
Board to consider. At the Board's next meeting on xxxxx, xx, 1999, it will consider
whether it should dismiss your complaint because it was filed too late. The Board
would be glad to receive and review any written information from you relevant to
your complaint's timeliness. Any materials you want the PCRB to consider should
be sent to the Board before its meeting on xxxxx xx.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the PCRB office at
356-5413 or 35§-5401,
Sincerely,
Leah Cohen, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: R.J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police
Steve Atkins, City Manager
Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5413
FORM LETTER C
Date
Dear xxxxxx:
The Complaint you filed with the Police Citizens Review Board on xxxxx xx, 1999
was summarily dismissed by the Board at its meeting on xxxxx xx, 1999 because it
was untimely filed. As noted in the PCRB ordinance:
All complaints must be filed with either the Board or
The Iowa City Police Department within sixty (60) [ninety
(90)] days of the alleged misconduct.., or be subject to
summary dismissal by the Board.
Although your complaint will not be reviewed by the PCRB, there is a method for
you to file a complaint directly with the Iowa City Police Department should you
wish to pursue this matter.
If you have any further questions regarding this, please call the Board office.
Sincerely,
Leah Cohen, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: PCRB
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319) 356-5413
FORM LETTER D
Date
R. J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police
and/or
Steve Atkins, City Manager
RE: PCRB #99-xx
Dear xxxxxx:
In accordance with Section 8-8-3(E) of the PCRB Ordinance and Section 1 .B of its
Standard Operating Procedures, the Police Citizens Review Board considered
Complaint #99-xx in executive session on xxxxxx xx, 1999. The incident which is
the subject of this complaint occurred on xxxxxx xx, 1999. The PCRB hereby
summarily dismisses Complaint #99-xx. The Police Department [or City Manager]
does not need 'to proceed with an investigation of this complaint.
Sincerely,
Leah Cohen, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: PCRB
FORM
PCRB REPORT OF SUMMARY DISMISSAL TO THE CITY
COUNCIL
PCRB Complaint #99-xx, filed xxxxx, 1999, was summarily dismissed
as required by the city Code, Section 8-8-3 D and 8-8-3 E, requiring that the
complaint must be filed within Sixty (60) days [ninety (90) days ] of the
alleged misconduct.
DATE D:
750 Iowa 521 NORTH WESTERN REPORTER, 2d SERIES
[4] II. We have many times emphasized 4.
the distinction between jurisdiction and au- The IIAWK EYE and William
thorlty. Se~ e.g., State v. Mandici~w, 509 Mertens, Appellees,
N.W.2d 481, 482 (Iowa 1993). We agree that
the trial court lacked authority to proceed in v. pn
Woodbury County district court with this Patrick C. JACKSON, Appellant, cy
special statutory remedy, onl
Iowa Department of Public Safety, del
[5, 6] As a general rule, contempt is un- Intervenor-Appellant. dis,
available to enforce a money judgment. See
No. 93-666. nic:
Iowa Code § 626.1 (money judgments eh- fac~
forceable by execution; other commanded Supreme Court of Iowa. cid,
acts are to be coerced by contempt); Iowa and
Code 8 665.2 (generaIly setting forth con- Sept. 21, 1994.
tip
tempt grounds). A special statute, involving I.C
support orders entered in dissolution of mar-
riage decrees, provides aq exception to this Newspaper sought writ of mandamus 5. I
rule. A disLrict court has authority to hear compelling disclosure of Division of Crbninal
and determine contempt proceedings in the Investigation (DCI) report concerning allega-
context of delinquent child support. Iowa t/on of use of excessive force by police, and sufl
Code 8 598.23A (1993). the District Court, Des Moines County, John 1nv,
C. Miller, J., granted writ. Divisimt appeal- rio,
[7] But this power is a special one the ed, and the Supreme Court, Neuman, J., held was
legislature accorded only in dissolution of that any public harm created by disclosure of witl
marriage cases. It is not a separate cause of report was far outweighed by public harm abe,
action, but a remedy specifically appended in accruing frmn nondisclosure, luct
order to enforce orders already entered. We A/in-med. abo~
do not think the legislature intended for bi- fern
furcation of disputes concerning support, wer,
modification, or other matters that may arise 1. Mandamus z=q87.9(1) quit
within a dissolution of marriage proceeding, inve
Review of mandamus action by Supreme mad
We are convinced the legislature intended for
Court is de novo, and Supreme Court gives or Ii
these matters to be pursued only within the
original proceeding. Because the contempt weight to district court's fact-findings but is subj
proceeding is merely aa adjunct to the case not bound by them. I.C.A. 8 661.3. men
in Black Hawk district court, and not an 2. Records ~:~60
independent action, we agree that the appr0. 6. B
priate remedy is dismissal, not transfer un- Privilege protecting peace officers' in-
der rule of civil procedure 175. vestigative reports and communica~ons made
to public officers in official confidence is qua]- resp
forc(
We agree that the Woodbury district court ified, and official claiming privilege must
lacked authority to apply the contempt power show that public officer is being examined, conc
available in Black Hawk district court, communication was made in official confi- publ
dence, and public interest would suffer by cond
AFFIRMED. disclosure. I.C.A. 8§ 22.7, 622.11. publi
3. Records ~=~60 7. R
Determination of whether public interest
would suffer by disclosure of official commu- to es
vacations for purposes of qualified privilege wcigl
covering communications requires weighing con&
relative merits of interests at stake. I.C.A. pub[i
8§ 22.7, 622.1L 622.1
HAWK EYE v. JACKSON Iowa 751
Cileas521 N.W.2d 750 (Iowa 1994}
4. Records ~=,~t 8. Records
Aids to law enforcement of encouraging Release of conditionally privileged eom-
persons to come forward with information, munieation by public officer does not depend
protecting secrecy of informants, and allow- on s~atus of party seeking release. I.C.A.
lng law enforcement officials necessary priva- §§ 22.7, 622.11.
cy to discuss findings and theories constitute 9. Records ~=~52, 60
only one factor to be considered by court in Newspaper has same right of access as
determining if public interest would suffer by
any member of general public, and it is in
disclosure of conditionally privileged commu- that representative capacity that newspaper's
nications of law enforcement officials, and interest in disclosure of conditionally privi-
factor is not determinative; other case-spe- leged communications by public officials must
cfilc factors, such ~ nature of investigation be evaluated. I.C.A. §§ 22.7, 622.11.
and whether it is completed or ongoing, may
tip balance in favor of public disclosure.
I.C.A. §§ 22.7, 622.11. Bbnnie J. Campbell, Atty. Gen., and Jef-
frey D. Farrell, Asst. Atty. Gen., for appel-
5. Records ~=~65 lants.
Finding that public interest would not Gene R. Krekel :and H. Craig Miller of
snffer by disclosure of Division of Criminal HLrsch, Adams, Krekel, Putnam & Cahill,
Investigation (DCI)report concerning allega- Burlington, for appellees.
tion of usc of excessive force by police efficer Susan M. Boe and Michael A. Giudicessi of
was supported by evidence that only ~wo Faegre & Benson, Des Moines, for amicus
witnesses to investigation expressed concern curiae Iowa Freedom of Information Council.
about ~dving statements, and witnesses' re-
luctance stemmed solely from uncertainty Considered by McGIVERIN, C.J., and
ab,~ut upcoming civil litigation und not from HARRIS, LAVORATO, NEUMAN, and
feat' of retaliation, no confidential informants TERNUS, JJ.
were used in investigation, newspaper's in-
quiry into incident urose only alter official NEUMAN, Justice.
investigation had ceased, no showing was This appeal concerns a county attorney's
made that report contained hearsay, rumor, refusal to produce an Iowa Division of Crimi-
or libelous comment, and report contained no hal Investigation file for inspection by a
newspaper. After weighing the interests of
mendations. I.C.A. §§ 22.7, 622.11. the public on the issue, the district court
ordered the official to turn over the file. We
6. Records ~=~64
affirm.
Allegations of leniency or cover-up with In the spring of 1991, Steve Sands, a re-
respect to disciplining of those sworn to en- porter for the Burlington newspaper, The
force the law are matters of great public Hawk Eye, wrote a series of articles aimed at
concern in determining potential harm to local reaction to the highly publicized beating
public interest to be suffered by disclosure of of Rodney King by Los Angeles police
conditionally privileged statements made by cers. As a part of the series, Sands inter-
public officers. I.C.A. §§ 22.7, 622.11. viewed local law enforcement officials about
whether allegations of excessive force had
7. Records ~64 ever been lodged against a member of the
Existence of alternate means of access Burlington police department. During one
to essentially same inibrmation is factor to be of these interviews, Sands learned of a possi-
weighed in determining whether disclosure of ble civil suit against police officer Michael
conditionally privileged communications of Swore. Sands approached police chief Wen-
public officials is warranted. I.C.A. §§ 22.7, dell Patton for his comment regarding the
622.11. suit. Patton, previously unaware of the alle-
n, the cer in official confidence, when the public Jackson's blanket claim of privilege. Appel-
cover- interests would suffer by the disclosure, lants' reasons for protecting the confidentiali-
round [2] In State ex rel. Shanahan v. lowa ty of the DCI report, while not insubstantial,
~ther, Distr~ct Conrt, 356 N.W.2d 523, 528 (Iowa do not justify nondisclosure under the unique
· His 1984), we observed that these two statutory facts of this case.
I con- provisions express essentially the same legis- First, the compelling reasons m'dinarily
y, eh- lative purpose with respect to DCI files: as~ underlying the need far witness confidentiali-
DCI, surance to all persons upon whom law eh- ty are absent. Only Swore and one other
~oten- forcement officials rely that "official confi- witness expressed any concern about giving a
ing a dentiality attends their conversations and statement. In each case the reluctance
~edia. may protect from public access the officers' stemmed solely from uncertainty about their
~l re- reports of what they have said." Id. The upcoming roles in the civil litigation, not con-
'liege. privilege cloaking these communications, cern over intimidation or retaliation. Both
~o the however, is qualified, not absolute. Id. at ultimately testified publicly in the civil trial,
tisclo- 527. An official claiming the privilege must as did ten persons out of the total of fourteen
v the satisfy a three-part test: (1) a public officer interviewed by I4isner. No confidential
o the is being examined, (2) the communication formants were used in the investigation.
a, the was made in official confidence, and (3) the
cport public interest would suffer by disclosure, Second, the record reflects that the news-
tl fol- Id, at 527; accord Shannon v. Hanse~ 469 paper's inquiry arose only after official inves-
N.W.2d 412, 414 (Iowa 1991). tigation into the Swore incident had ceased ....
Kisner reported that he closed the DCI file
~table
[3]
Only the third part of the test con- following the decision not to prosecute.
nova. terns us here. Determining where the line Jackson expressed his belief that any recon-
,'c~r falls between public harm and public good sideration of his decision would be bmTed by
give ': requires weighing the relative merits of the the applicable statute of limitations for as-
s but interests at stake. We have long recognized sault. He was unaware of any pending fed-
that confidentiality encourages persons to eral charges arising out of the same incident.
'~blic come forward with information, whether sub- Thus any claim that an on-going investigation
· e on stsntiated or not, that might be use( to solve might be hindered by disclosure of the report
,etlon crimes and deter criminal activity. Shana- is unsubstantiated..
ha~; 356 N.W.2d st 529. Secrecy is especial- Third, the appellants made no showing
II be ly vital where reports are based on confiden- that the DCI report contained hearsay, pu-
le'red ~Jal informants, persons indispensable to sue-
cessfifl police work but who frequently fear mar, or libelous comment. Because the focus
,~tho*f the intimidation and reprisal, h/. at 529-30. of the investigation rested solely on Swore,
Furthermore, nondisclosure permits law en- no legitimate concerns e~dst over named but
innocent suspects. Kisner's report contained
forcement officials the necessary privacy to no subjective theories, conclusions, or recom-
discuss findings and theories about cases un- mendations, thus minimizing the need for
'~'~' der investigation. Id. at 529.
else~ secrecy present in most investigations.
date, [4] We have also held, however, that
The district court properly weighed the
I'act~ these important aids to effective law enforce- foregoing facts against the newspaper's proof
,e or ment comprise only one factor to be consid- thut the public interest would be harmed by
I un- ered by the court and are "not determinative denial of access to the DCI file. See Shana-
~sual as to the 'public interest' test." Shanno~ ha~ 356 N.W.2d at 530. The record reveals
.auld 469 N.W.2d at 415. Other case-specific fac- that community interest and concern over
estb tars, such as the nature of the investigation allegations of police brutality, already piqued
sger and whether it is completed or ongoing, may by the events in Los Angeles, was height-
tip the balance in favor of public disclosure.
is: See id. ened by the suit against Swore. This inter-
est grew upon the filing of a second civil suit
d rz [5] III. Turning to the record before us, against him. Merteas testified that, once the
offl-!~ ~e are convinced the court wisely rejected jury reached a verdict in apparent conflict
'754 Iowa 521 NORTH WESTERN REPORTER, 2d SERIES
with city officials' decisions, the newspaper unique facts of this case, any public harm
received many more letters to the editor created by the disclosure of the DCI investi-
expressing concern over both incidents, gatory report is far outwcighed by the public
harm accruing from its nondisclosure. The
[6] There can be little doubt that allega- district court's order compelling disclosure is
tions of leniency or cover-up with respect to therefore af£~ned.
the disciplining of those sworn to enforce the t
law are matters of great public concern. AFFIRMED.
This fact is underscored by Patton and Jack- 4
son's own testimony regarding the immediate
action taken upon hearing Swore was ac- ~ c
cueed of using excessive force, r.
[7] Appellants nevertheless claim that
the newspaper's need for disclosure is slight n
because the same information could have n
been gained from trial testimony or the In the Interest of C.T., A Minor,
newspaper's own private interviews. It is C.T., Appellant.
true that existence of an alternate means Of
access to essentially the same information is No. 94-138. 5.
a factor to be weighed in determining wheth- Supreme Court of Iowa.
er disclosure is warranted. Id~ at 531. But
motivating the newspaper's claim is its con- Sept. 21, 1994.
cern that the information contained in the e~
DCI report may not be similar to that re-
vealed at trial or secured by reporters out- Juvenile was adjudicated in the District fo
side the courtroom. That suspicion is only Court, Scott County, Gary D. McKenrick, 6.
strengthened by the jury's verdict. So long District Associate Judge, as delinquent after
as it is barred from seeing the report, the being found to have committed acts of tam-
newspaper is effectively prevented from as- pering with witness and criminal gang partic- nc
seesing the reasonableness of the official ac- ipation, ,.and he appealed. The Supreme pr
tion. Like the district court, we believe that Court, Ternus, J., held that: (1) determina- tit
neither the trial testL'nony nor independent tion in prior adjudication that organization pr
'witness intetwiews would shed light on that was criminal street gang could not be used to §
asseesment~ establish that fact in adjudication of juvenile 7.
who was not party to or in privity with party
[8, 9] Finally, we reject appellants' con- to earlier proceeding, but (2) evidence sup-
tention that the newspapers' interest in the ported findings that juvenile bad committed rio
report is lower--and thus less compelling-- acts of delivery of controlled substance and ne:
than the interest of the plaintiff in Shana- criminal gang participation, is
ha~, a litigant seeking discovery relevant to
his civil lawsuit. Release of the report does Affirmed. 8.
not depend on the status of the party seeking cie
it. Northeast Council on S~bstance Able, L Assault and Battery e:~53 er~
In~ v. Iowa Depg of Public Health~ 513 One form of assault is going muned with lng
N.W.2d 757, 761 (Iowa 1994). The newspa- intent to commit felony. I.C.A. § 708.8.
per has the same right of access as any 9.
member of the general public. See Head v. 2. Judgment ~707
Colloton, 331 N.W.2d 870, 874 (Iowa 1983). State could not use determination made crh
It is/n that representative capacity that its in prior adjudication that organization was evi~
interest in disclosure must be evaluated. "criminal street gang" within meaning of of
In summary, our de novo review of this statute in later adjmlicat~on of juvenile mem- cre~
record leads us to the same conclusion her of organization for criminal gang pattie- deli
reached by the district court. Under the ipation where juvenile was not party to prior § 7
POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240-1826
(319)356-5413
March 10, 1999
Ms. Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Dear Eleanor:
The PCRB would like to extend a very sincere thank you for all your help this
past month. We feel comfortable with the Council's decisions and realize
your support was necessary to reach these goals. The Board will continue to
monitor and make suggestions as we feel necessary. This first year and a
half has been a learning process for all of us. Your insights have helped
make it possible for us to fulfill our duties under the ordinance. We thank
you for your confidence and support.
Sincerely,
Leah Cohen, Chair
Police Citizens Review Board
cc: Steve Atkins, City Manager
Ernie Lehman, Mayor
R. J. Winkelhake, Chief of Police