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Home My WebLink About12-14-1999 CommunicationNAME John Watson in Sustaining Member are organizations and individuals who wish to make tax deduct - TITLE Chairperson O ible contributions to the further the goals and principles of NACOLE. Donations begin at AGENCY/90ARD Police Citizens Review Boar✓ S00. WORKADDRESS 410 E. Washington S CITY Iowa City STATE Iowa — 52240 TEL. ■ Organizational Members are agencies c eiboard^who provide civilian oversight of law Oenforcement by legislative or executive man- date.These agencies will receive one transfer- able regular membership and associate mem- berships for the remaining members of their boards.Annual dues: $300 ■ Regular Members are individuals who are 3191 356-5413 not sworn law enforcement officers but who Owork or have worked for agencies that are mandated by legislative or executive authority Z. to investigate and review complaints against law enforcement officers.Annual dues:$150 403 Elmridge Ave. CITY Iowa City STATE Iowa ZIP 52245 watson.john@mcleod.net ■ Associate Members are individuals con- cerned with the oversight of law enforcement. ® The members shall be able to participate in all NACOLE activities, including serving on com- mittees, but are ineligible to vote or serve as officers. Annual dues: $100 ■ Student Members are individuals who are full-time students and are concerned with the Ooversight of law enforcement. Student mem• bers will be able to serve on committees but are ineligible to vote or serve as officers. An- nual dues: $25 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT P.O. Box I 1 10 Lanham, Maryland 20703 POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5413 November 19, 1999 Steve Atkins City Manager City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Steve: COPY Thanks for approving the budget amendment allowing the PCRB to travel to the police academy at Camp Dodge and for sharing your concerns about the trip. As you know we are a board that must protect much of our activities and information from public view in accordance with Iowa law. At the same time we are acutely aware that our work can attract, and does attract, the attention of the public and the media. Therefore, we strive to live be the letter and the spirit of the open meeting and open records laws. Avoiding even the appearance of circumventing these statutes is very important to us. We share your concerns on this matter. The trip to Camp Dodge has been in our plans for FY 2000 activities for several months. The purpose of the trip is to observe classes at the academy and to learn something about the principles and philosophy of law enforcement taught there. If appropriate opportunities arise, we may exchange views and ideas about law enforcement issues with academy staff or students, including issues relating to police accountability to civilian review boards. We consider this visit to be a most valuable learning experience that could not be replicated in any other way. With the advice of our counsel, Catherine Pugh, we will adhere to the following procedure for our trip: ♦ Post agenda with the trip listed ♦ Meet at the Civic Center to convene meeting ♦ Recess for the trip to Camp Dodge ♦ Reconvene upon arrival for the purpose of attending academy activities ♦ Recess for travel back to Iowa City at the completion of academy activities ♦ Adjourn the meeting upon arrival in Iowa City Page 2 At no time during travel will Board business be discussed. We will use a 12-15 passenger van, owned by the City, which can accommodate members of the public, media, or City officials who would like to accompany the board to Camp Dodge. While at the academy, the Board may discuss general issues that relate to its purview, but no Board business will be conducted. Thanks also for approved our membership in NACOLE. I asked Sandy Bauer to find out more about the different membership categories, in particular copyright or other restrictions on copying and disseminating their printed materials. We are pleased to report that we can join NACOLE in a less expensive category, Associate Member, at a cost of only $100 per year. Although this category does not allow us full membership privileges, we will be permitted complete freedom to copy and distribute their printed materials. This is adequate for now. Finally, the Board has expressed a desire to meet with the new City Council soon after it is seated next year. The purpose of the meeting would be to report on the accomplishments and challenges of the past year and plans for the future, to answer questions, and to discuss issues related to the board's mission. If it is more appropriate to contact the Mayor regarding such a meeting, please let me know. Thanks for your advice and support. Sincerely, John Watson CR PB Board Chairperson t city or.k lot Stephen J. Atkins, City Manager 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 (319) 356-5010 steve_atkins@iowa-city.org L. JAY STEIN CATHERINE A. PUGH' XATHRYN E. MORELAND 'ALSO ADMITTED IN ILLINOIS Eleanor Dilkes City Attorney City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Dear Eleanor: STEIN & PUGH, L.L.P ATTORNEYS AT LAW ENGLERT BUILDING P.O. BOX 2416 IOWA MY IOWA 52244 December 8, 1999 FOR YOUR INFORMATION FAX (319) 3366409 TELEPHONE (319) 351-561 O Thank you for your letter concerning the Police Chiefs quarterly log identifying PCRB and Internal Complaints. The PCRB concurs with your suggestion that the log be limited to Internal Complaints and forwarded to the PCRB confidentially. PCRB appreciates your attention to the matter of confidentiality and will look forward to receiving the revised logs in the future. The second issue addressed in your letter concerned a possible revision of the complaint form to allow for the complainant to summarize their complaint in order to avoid misinterpretation of the complaint by the investigating officers. The PCRB has discussed this issue at length and wishes to note that this is a problem that has arisen only on rare occasions. The PCRB believes that there is a sufficient mechanism in place to address any discrepancy or disagreement with the characterization by the investigating officer or the chief. In the event this situation arises in the future, PCRB will simply notify the chief that there is some disagreement as to the characterization of the allegations and request that either additional allegations or revised allegations be addressed. The PCRB is satisfied with this plan to handle any potential problems in this regard in the future and would prefer to leave the complaint form in its present state for the time being. It is expected that this issue may be revisited in the future and if the perceived misinterpretation continues, perhaps remedial measures by way of revising complaint form will be taken at that time. Thank you very much for your suggestions, the Board appreciates your input. Yours truly, STEIN & PUGH, L.L.P. Catherine A. Pugh CAP.glh cc: John Watson C 1SPMICAP\PCR8\LTR.D8 POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 (319)356-5413 November 19, 1999 �OLf u On behalf of the Iowa City Police Citizens Review Board, I would like to thank you for your participation in the mediation efforts of the Board. Although the Board has had few requests for mediation, it is offered to each complainant and to each of the Iowa City police officers involved in a complaint. At this time, the Board would like to confirm your level of interest in continuing to offer your services in mediating disputes filed with the PCRB. Would you please complete the attached sheet and return it in the self - enclosed, stamped envelope. If we do not hear from you by December 10, 1999, your name will be removed. For your reference, I am providing you with another copy of the PCRB Guidelines for Formal Mediation and the PCRB Formal Mediation Policies/Procedures which have been approved by the City Council. I am also enclosing a copy of your biographical sketch. If you would like to update this, please return your revision at the same time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Sandra Bauer, Assistant PCRB Enclosures POLICE CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD A Board of the City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City IA 52240-1826 1319►356-5413 I wish to continue to offer my services as a mediator to the PCRB. 1 do not wish to continue my services as a mediator to the PCRB. Signature If we do not hear from you by December 10, 1999, your name will be REMOVED.