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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-1999 Minutes POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD MINUTES - October 12, 1999 Lobby Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Chair L. Cohen called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ATTENDANCE Board members present: L. Cohen, P. Hoffey, P. Farrant, J. Stratton and J. Watson. Staff present: Legal Counsel C. Pugh and Administrative Assistant $. Bauer. Also in attendance was Lt. M. Johnson and Capt. T. Widmer of the ICPD. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion by P. Hoffey and seconded by P. Farrant to adopt the Consent Calendar. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Request payment of $300.00 for a one year organizational membership for the PCRB in the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chair Cohen recommended that the method of voting prescribed by the Board for election of officers be verbal nominations from the floor and voting by voice with majority vote, Motion by J. Stratton and seconded by P. Hoffey to accept this recommendation. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. P. Farrant nominated J. Watson as Chairperson; seconded by P. Hoffey. P. Hoffey moved to close nominations; seconded by J. Stratton. Motions carried, §/0, all members present. Chair J. Watson now presiding. P. Hoffey nominated P. Farrant as Vice-Chairperson; seconded by L. Cohen. J. Statton moved to close nominations; seconded by P. Hoffey. Motions carried, 5/0, all members present. PRESENTATION Lt. Johnson and Capt. Widmer of the ICPD gave a presentation on the Use of Force. A handout was distributed outlining the levels of force. References were also made to the General Order on the Use of Force. GOALS FY 200O · NACOLE - Discussion continued citing reasons for the PCRB to have a membership to the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, to include the reasons cited at the last meeting. P. Farrant expanded on the credibility reason by stating =We're not a professional group, but we certainly do approach what we're doing professionally and, I think, affiliating with a group that attempts to give the volunteer equivalent of professional status to what we're doing is not a bad idea." Motion was made by P. Farrant and seconded by P. Hoffey to make a formal request to the City to consider paying for a $300.00 organizational membership for the PCRB in the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement for a year, to be evaluated at the end of that year to see whether membership is beneficial. Each Board member would receive a copy of the NACOLE newsletter. J. Stratton suggested this newsletter be shared with appropriate people, and further stated it would be a way of communicating what's going on in this arena to the Council and the City Manager. Farrant also suggested the Board may consider further requesting the City send an interested member to NACOLE's next conference. Chair suggested that Chief Winkelhake also receive a copy of NACOLE's newsletter, Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. CAMP DODGE ~ P. Hoffey spoke briefly about the packet the Board members received regarding the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at Camp Dodge. After reviewing the material and following discussion, the Board determined they would like to visit Camp Dodge on December 8, 1999, to allow attendance at the Law Enforcement Ethics class (which provides an examination of ethical issues affecting law enforcement). P. Hoffey will confirm with the Academy the Board's attendance that day. Hoffey will also inquire about the possibility of the Board being available to the class for a question/answer session. Additional basic training classes is also offered that day to observe. It is the Board's intent to meet with people there who could present information relating to the issues the Board encounters, such as the curriculum, what they try to accomplish, the goals, purpose and philosophy behind the academy. J. Watson also indicated things like accountability to the public, how they present the philosophical foundation of police work. Legal Counsel suggested that the Board have an official meeting at the beginning for roll call, recess for the trip and tour, and meet again to adjourn. This would not preclude the Board from discussing business. The agenda would be posted as a regular, open meeting. L. Cohen offered to drive the Board members in her van. The Board did not feel the presence of legal counsel would be necessary for this trip. Bauer will request reimbursement from the City for mileage and lunches. Further discussion of PCRB goals for FY 2000 was deferred to the next meeting. The two that the Chair would like members to consider are (1) establish a baseline of information to analyze different types of reports and (2) provide information aimed at improving officers' understanding of the Board's function. NEW BUSINESS None MEETING SCHEDULE · Special Meeting October 26, 1999, 7:00 p.m. - cancelled. · Regular Meeting November 9, 1999, 7:00 P.M. · Special Meeting November 23, 1999, 7:00 P.M. 4 · Special Meeting and trip to Camp Dodge, December 8, 1999 · Regular Meeting December 14, 1999, 7:00 P.M. · Special Meeting December 28, 1999, 7:00 P.M. Regarding travel plans over the holidays, L. Cohen stated she will be gone the week of November 22 and the week of December 14. No meeting will be held during Christmas week. PUBLIC DISCUSSION None BOARD INFORMATION J. Watson - reported on a meeting with S. Bauer, C. Pugh and M. Karr on October 11 regarding e-mail communications and the role of staff. The Board would not have access to correspondence, including e-mail, unless it is addressed to them. The Clerk's office will provide a log of activities, similar to the Board Assistant's, showing number of walk-ins, phone contacts, and correspondence relating to PCRB. If someone contacts the Clerk's office with a complaint about an officer, but does not mention the Board, the person will be offered the two complaint form options. C. Pugh reiterated the concern regarding confidentiality. The log is going to include all office contacts - telephone, counter, e-mail, and general mail. Simple complaint form requests will not be logged. STAFF INFORMATION S. Bauer - provided the Annual Report of the City Boards and Commissions to be routed amongst the PCRB members. C. Pugh - The Internal Investigation Log that the Chief provides on a quarterly basis includes open and closed cases. On a pending complaint, there is sufficient information provided that might be considered confidential. Pugh will discuss this issue with the City Attorney and report back to the Board. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by P. Farrant and seconded by J. Stratton to adjourn into Executive Session based on Section 21.5 (1)(a) of the Code of Iowa to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that government body's possession or continued receipt of federal funds, and 22.7(11) personal information in confidential personnel records of public bodies including but not limited to cities, boards of supervisors and school districts, and 22.7(5) police officer investigative reports, except where disclosure is authorized elsewhere in the Code; and 22.7(18) Communications not required by law, rule or procedure that are made to a government body or to any of its employees by identified persons outside of government, to the extent that the government body receiving those communications from such persons outside of government could reasonably believe that those persons would be discouraged from making them to that government body if they were available for general public examination. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. Open session adjourned at 8:33 P.M. Regular meeting resumed at 8:45 P.M. Bauer was directed to draft a letter to the Chief requesting a copy of the case file and any videotapes regarding PCRB Complaint #99-05 for the Chair's signature. ADJOURNMENT Motion for adjournment by P. Hoffey and seconded by J. Stratton. Motion carried, 5/0, all members present. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.