HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2020 Community Police Review BoardMEMORANDUM
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
DATE: March 5, 2020
TO: CPRB Members
FROM: Chris Olney
RE: Board Packet for meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Enclosed please find the following documents for your review and comment at the next board meeting:
• Agenda for 3/10/20
• Minutes of the meeting on 2/11/20
• Email correspondence from Kelcey Patrick -Ferree 2-11-20
• Office Contacts — February 2020
• Complaint Deadline
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 — 5:30 P.M.
HELLING CONFERENCE RM
410 E . Washington Street
ITEM NO. 1 CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL
ITEM NO. 2 CONSIDER MOTION ADOPTING CONSENT CALENDAR AS PRESENTED OR
AMENDED
• Minutes of the meeting on 02/11 /20
• Email correspondence from Kelcey Patrick -Ferree
ITEM NO. 3 CONSIDER MOTION FOR RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUCIL TO DISCHARGE
MEMBER FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCES AND REQUEST COUNCIL TO APPOINT
NEW BOARD MEMBER PURSUANT TO CPRB BY-LAWS ARTICLE III.
ITEM NO.4 NEW BUSINESS
• Social Media Policy Discussion
ITEM NO. 5 OLD BUSINESS
• Community Forum Discussion
ITEM NO. 6 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
ITEM NO. 7 BOARD INFORMATION
ITEM NO. 8 STAFF INFORMATION
ITEM NO. 9 MEETING SCHEDULE and FUTURE AGENDAS
• April 14, 2020, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
• April 27, 20209 6:00 PM, IC Library, Room A (Community Forum)
• May 12, 2020, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
• June 8, 2020, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
• July 14, 20209 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
ITEM NO. 10 ADJOURNMENT
Ifyou will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact
Chris Olney at 319-356-5043, Christine-olney@a iowa-city. org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow
sufficient time to meet your access needs.
DRAFT
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES — February 11, 2020
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Monique Galpin called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Latisha McDaniel, David Selmer, Orville Townsend
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sam Conaway
STAFF PRESENT: Staff Chris Olney, Legal Counsel Patrick Ford
OTHERS PRESENT: Iowa City Police Captain Denise Brotherton
Galpin introduced CPRB Liaison - Janice Weiner
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
(1) Accept CPRB #19-05
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Selmer, seconded by Townsend to adopt the consent calendar as presented or amended.
• Minutes of the Meeting on 1/14/20
• ICPD General Order 99-08 (Body Worn Cameras & In -Car Recorders)
• ICPD General Order 89-02 (Department Disciplinary Philosophy)
• ICPD General Order 17-03 (Firearms)
Motion carried, 4/0, Conaway absent.
NEW BUSINESS
None
OLD BUSINESS
Community Forum - Olney discussed the draft items for the forum included in the meeting packet and
asked if a discussion topic/presentation had been agreed upon. The Board and ICPD Captain
Brotherton agreed to a police presentation on new body/in-car cameras and discussion on the following
current community issues: Ring doorbell program, Police Chief hiring process and facial recognition
technology. Captain Brotherton will present a short demonstration of the cameras to the board at the
next meeting.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
ACLU Board members Martha Hampel, Caroline Dieterle, Jen Lee and Dean Able noted concerns
related to a recent incident involving social media and inquired on the Police Department's policy on
social media. It was also suggested that information on the process of hiring a new Police Chief,
clarifying City Managers role/relationship to law enforcement, the Ring door -bell program, body
cameras and facial recognition technology could be part of the Community forum.
Legal Counsel Ford suggested the individual involved in the social media incident could file a complaint
to the Board which would launch an investigation as part of the complaint policy process.
Galpin stated that the social media policy discussion could be added to next meeting agenda.
CPRB minutes
DRAFT
February 11, 2020
BOARD INFORMATION
Board Chair Galpin suggested adding new business items to next meeting agenda:
• Board member Conaway's absences and any recommendation to be considered.
• City/Police department social media policy discussion
STAFF INFORMATION
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Townsend, seconded by McDaniel 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, 4/0, Conaway absent. Open session adjourned at 5:51 P.M.
REGULAR SESSION
Returned to open session at 6:08 P.M.
Motion by Galpin, seconded by Selmer to accept CPRB Complaint #19-05 as amended and forward
report to City Council.
Motion carried, 4/0, Conaway absent.
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE and FUTURE AGENDAS subject to than e
March 10, 2020, 5:30 PM, Helling Conference Rm
April 14, 2020, 5:30 P.M. Helling Conference Rm
April 27, 2020, 6:00 P.M. IC Public Library (Community Forum)
May 12, 2020, 5:30 P.M. Helling Conference Rm
June 9, 2020, 5:30 P.M. Helling Conference Rm
Galpin will be absent April 14th but will address it at the March meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion for adjournment by McDaniel, seconded by Townsend.
Motion carried, 4/0, Conaway absent.
Meeting adjourned at 6:10 P.M.
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2019-2020
(Meeting Date)
3/12/19
4/9/19
4/29/19
5/14/19
6/11/19
7/11/19
8/13/19
9/10/19
9/24/19
10/8/19
11/12/19
12/10/19
1/14/20
2111/20
NAME
NO
QUORUM
Donald
X
X
X
x
X
Ding
Monique
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Galpin
Orville
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
Townsend
Latish$
X
X
X
X
X
O
x
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
McDaniel
David
X
X
X
X
X
O
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Selmer
Sam
X
X
X
X
O/E
O
O
O
Conaway
KEY; X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
A Board of the City of Iowa City
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52249-1825-
(319) 355-5041 .
February 11, 2020
To: City Council
" +
U M
Complainant
r a
City Manager
Equity Director
Chief of Police
Officer(s) involved in complaint
From: Community Police Review Board
Re: Investigation of CPRB Complaint #19-05
This is the Report of the Community Police Review Board's (the "Board") review of the investigation of
Complaint CPRB #19-05 (the "Complaint").
BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY
Under the City Code of the City of Iowa City, the Board's responsibilities are as follows:
1. The Board forwards all complaints to the Police Chief, who completes an investigation.
(Iowa City Code Section 8-8-7(A).)
2. When the Board receives the Police Chiefs report, the Board must select one or more of the
following levels of review, in accordance with Iowa City Code Section 8-8-7(B)(1):
a. On the record with no additional investigation.
b. Interview /meet with complainant.
c. Interview /meet with named officer(s) and other officers.
d. Request additional investigation by the police chief, or request police assistance in the
board's own investigation.
e. Perform its own investigation with the authority to subpoena witnesses.
f. Hire independent investigators.
3. In reviewing the Police Chiefs report, the Board must apply a "reasonable basis" standard of review.
This means that the Board must give deference to the Police Chiefs report, because of the Police
Chiefs professional expertise. (Iowa City Code Section 8-8-7(B)(2).)
4. According to Iowa City Code Section 8-8-7(B)(2), the Board can recommend that the Police Chief
reverse or modify the Chiefs findings o_ rrly if:
a. The findings are not supported by substantial evidence; or
b. The findings are unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious; or
c. The findings are contrary to a police department policy or practice, or any federal, state or
local law.
5. When the Board has completed its review of the Police Chiefs report, the Board issues a public
report to the city council. The public report must include: (1) detailed findings of fact; and (2) a
clearly articulated conclusion explaining why and the extent to which the complaint is either
"sustained" or "not sustained ". (Iowa City Code Section 8-8-7(B)(5).)
6. Even if the Board finds that the complaint is sustained, the Board has no authority to discipline the
officer involved.
BOARD'S PROCEDURE
The Complaint was initiated by the Complainant on September 3, 2019. As required by Section
8-8-5(B) of the City Code, the Complaint was referred to the Chief of Police for investi ation.
The Chief's Report was filed with the City Clerk on December 2, 2019.=
The Board voted on January 14, 2020 to apply the following Level of Review to th 0hief..s*Re Qrt .On the
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record with no additional review, pursuant to Iowa City Code Section 8-8-7(B)(1)(A)-kt .
The Board met to consider the Report on December 10, 2019, January 14, 202 A d Fyyaab��''��brua� 'l.1
2020. .� P ,
Ff N� 4 Ii�
( i-.r
Prior to the January 14, 2020 meeting, the Board reviewed videos of the incident, including the officer
body cameras worn by the officers on the scene of the investigation.
FINDINGS OF FACT
On August 30, 2019, the Iowa City police officers, whom are the subject of the complaint, (hereinafter,
"the Officers")0 were dispatched to the area of 900 West Benton Street to address a call that two
females were fighting near the bus stop there. Officer 1 arrived and made contact with the Complainant
and another woman, who were separated, but arguing. Officer 1 called for another unit, Officer 2.
When Officer 2 arrived, Officer 1 interviewed the Complainant. The Complainant stated that the other
woman asked her about her shoes and poked her. The Complainant stated that she told the other
woman to not touch her, and the other woman called her a name. The Complainant said she hit the
other woman, and then the other woman "smacked" her.
Officer 2 interviewed the other woman involved in the fight. She stated she asked the Complainant
where she got her shoes and the Complainant struck her in the face. She said that she tried to hit her
back to defend herself, but was only able to push Complainant.
Officer 2 asked others near the scene what they observed. From those interviews they weren't able to
learn how the incident started, only that there was pushing between the two women.
No injuries were reported or observed.
The officers then explained to each party separately that they had conflicting stories. The officers
explained that they could charge each of them with disorderly conduct, or let them go with a warning to
stay away from each other. They further warned that if they were called back, both the Complainant
and the other woman would be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Both the Complainant
and the other woman stated they were okay with a warning and agreed they would avoid each other.
The officers remained on scene while Complainant walked away.
On September 3, Complainant filed her Complaint alleging that the officers on the scene instructed her
to stop arguing on the scene, but did not give the same instructions for the other woman. Complainant
also alleged that the other woman continued to harass her, "pulling up in a car' on August 30, and
talking to someone else about the incident at the bus stop on September 3.
ALLEGATION 1 — Improper investigation.
There is no evidence to support this allegation. The Officers conducted a thorough investigation in a
manner consistent with the standards set forth in the Departmental policy and procedure. There was
insufficient evidence to identify whether one party was more culpable than the other. When the officers
explained the situation to the Complainant and the other woman involved in the dispute, and the option
to let them both go with a warning, both were content to leave with a warning.
Chief's Conclusion - Not sustained
Board's Conclusion - Not sustained
COMMENTS:
While Complainant states in her Complaint that the other woman involved in the dispute continued to
make contact with her, she does not present any evidence that she notified the Iowa City Police
Department of these additional contacts. Moreover, the record does not support that the officers
subject to this Complaint ever had occasion to learn of any of this additional contact.
Chris Olney
From: Kelcey Patrick -Ferree { kelcey.patrickferree@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 2:53 PM
To: Chris Olney
Subject: For today's Community Police Review Board (CPRB) meeting
RISK
Chris,
am an Iowa City resident, and I have a concern to share with the CPRB. I will be unable to attend today's meeting, but
wanted to express to the CPRB that I am concerned that the police recently posted images of a young black man on
Facebook. (See this news coverage: htt s: cbs21owa.com news local man-s eaks-out-after- olice-social-media- paints -him -in -negative -light) I would like to encourage the CPRB and the police department to work together to either
create a departmental social media policy, or if one is already in place, to update it in light of this incident, to ensure that
future situations are appropriately handled.
Thank you for your assistance and your time.
Warm regards,
Ke I cey
And biannual time changes must be abolished. #LockTheclock
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
OFFICE CONTACTS
February 2020
Date Description
None
March 10, 2020 Mtg Packet
COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW BOARD
COMPLAINT DEADLINES
NONE
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE
April 14, 2020
April 29, 2019 Community Forum
May 12, 2020
June 9, 2020
J u ly 14, 2020
out during the meeting.
Late Handouts Distributed
3 I 10 + aC-) ADM-08.1
?'OLICE MEDIA
RELATIONS
PUBLIC
Date of Issue General Order Number
NOVEMBER 20, 2001 01-07
Effective Date Section Code
August 26, 2019 ADM-08
Reevaluation Date Amends l Cancels
August2021
C.A.L.E.A. Reference
54.1.1, 51.1.2
INDEX AS:
I. PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this policy to establish guidelines for release and dissemination of
public information to print and broadcast media.
11. POLICY
It is the policy of the Iowa City Police Department to cooperate fully and impartially with
authorized news media representatives in their efforts to gather factual, public
information pertaining to activities of the department, as long as such information
gathering does not unduly interfere with departmental operations, ongoing
investigations, infringe upon individual rights or violate the law.
ADM-08.2
III. DEFINITIONS
Public Information: Information that may be of interest to the general public
regarding policy, procedures or events involving the department or other
newsworthy information that is not legally protected, does not unduly interfere
with the mission of the department, ongoing investigations, infringe upon the
rights of an individual or compromise the legitimate safety and/or privacy
interests of officers, victims, witnesses or others.
News Media Representatives: Those individuals who are directly employed by
agencies of the electronic or print media such as radio, television and
newspapers. Freelance workers in this field are to be regarded as other
members of the general public unless otherwise designated by the Chief of
Police or his/her designee.
Public Information Officer (PIO): The department's PIO serves as a central
source of information for release by the department and responds to requests for
information by the news media and the community.
IV. PROCEDURES
A. Duties of the Public Information Officer
The department's PIO is available to:
i) Be present at the scene of major incidents;
(1) at the scene of major incidents the officer in charge may
designate an area for media to respond and a response route.
The PIO will respond to this area and provide information and
updates to the media as available.
ii) assist the news media;
iii) prepare and distribute media releases;
(1) when the PIO is unavailable, media releases will be provided by
the on -duty watch commander or supervisor of the unit in
charge of the incident. All media releases will identify the
person issuing the release.
iv) arrange for, and assist at, news conferences;
v) coordinate and authorize the release of information about victims,
witnesses and suspects;
vi) assist in crisis situations within the agency and coordinate the release
of authorized information concerning confidential agency investigations
and operations.
vii) The Public Information Officer will provide a single authoritative source
for media contacts between 08:00 and 16:00 Monday through Friday.
(1) When the PIO is not on -duty, the Watch Commander will handle
media requests. In the event of an incident generating
significant numbers of media inquiries, the Watch Commander
will determine the need for the PIO to respond.
(2) Questions regarding an investigation being handled by the
investigative section will be handled by the Investigative
Supervisor in the absence of the PIO. In instances where the
ADM-08.3
Investigative Supervisor is unavailable, the request will be
handled by the on -duty watch supervisor.
(3) In the event of a prolonged SRT deployment, the SRT
commander may request that the PIO respond to a designated
location or he/she will designate a person to serve as liaison
with the media. The SRT commander may also designate
routes by which members of the media should approach the
area.
b) Cooperation with the Media
i) Authorized news media representatives shall have reasonable access
to the PIO, the Chief of Police or his/her designee and Command Staff
of the department as governed by this policy. When information is
denied to a media representative, the basis for that denial shall be fully
and courteously explained.
ii) This department recognizes authorized identification from all local,
national and international news organizations. Failure of media
personnel to present authorized identification may provide grounds for
restricting access to non-public information or to incident scenes.
iii) Public information shall be released to the news media and public as
promptly as circumstances allow, in as objective a manner as possible.
iv) Public information may be provided to news media representatives and
the public by telephone.
v) Ranking officers at crime or incident scenes may release information of
a factual nature to the media as governed by this policy or refer the
inquiry to the PIO. Where the officer is unsure of the facts or the
propriety of releasing information, he/she shall refer the inquiry to the
watch commander or PIO.
vi) When an operation involves multiple agencies the agency with primary
jurisdiction will make determinations regarding appropriate media
releases. The Iowa City Police Department will provide information
consistent with this policy when it is the agency with primary
jurisdiction. The information should include the identification of
assisting agencies.
vii) Station Masters shall inform the watch commander as soon as
possible upon receipt of information about events or activities that may
be of media interest.
viii)The Watch Commander shall be responsible for ensuring that the
agency's PIC, Commander of Field Operations and Chief of Police are
informed of events that may be of media interest.
ix) Members of the Iowa City Police Department will be consistent in
releasing information to the media for public dissemination. A decision
to not release normally provided information shall not be solely based
on the personal prominence of those involved. Conversely,
information that is not routinely distributed shall not be put forth solely
as a result of the personal prominence of an involved party.
c) Non -investigative contact with the media is allowed and encouraged. Officers
may provide information of a general nature which is not specific to an on-
going investigation.
-Bti 1
d) Investigative Information
From the initial stage of a criminal investigation until the completion of trial
or disposition without trial, police personnel should refer requests for
information to the Public Information Officer or his/her designee. Upon
receipt of the request for information the following guidelines shall be
adhered to:
Information that may be released in connection with an investigation of an
event or crime includes but is not limited to;
(1) the type or nature of an event or crime;
(2) the location, date and time, injuries sustained, damages, and a
general description of how the incident occurred;
(3) type of property taken;
(4) information about the victim of a crime however it is the practice
of the Iowa City Police Department to not identify victims by
name;
(5) requests for aid in locating evidence, a complainant or a
suspect;
(6) numbers of officers or people involved in an event or
investigation, and the length of the investigation; and
(7) name of the officer in charge of a case, their supervisor and
assignment. (exception: the name of any undercover officer will
not be released).
(8) In instances where the disclosure of the above information may
jeopardize an investigation, pose a danger to any person, or is
reasonably likely to result in further victimization, the
information will not be released
ii) Information that may not be released in connection with an
INVESTIGATION of an event or crime, unless authorized by the Chief
of Police or his/her designee includes but is not limited to;
(1) the identity of a suspect prior to arrest unless such information
would aid in apprehending the suspect or serve to warn the
public of potential danger;
(2) the identity of any victim of a crime or any related information
which, if divulged, could lead to the identification of victims or
witnesses, if such disclosure would jeopardize an investigation
to any significant degree, or if it would place any person in
personal danger;
(3) the identity of any critically injured or deceased person prior to
notification of the next of kin; if a next of kin is not reasonably
able to be located, the supervisor of the section conducting the
investigation shall determine the method of release of this
information;
(4) the results of any investigative procedure such as lineups,
polygraph tests, fingerprint comparison, ballistics test or other
procedures (the fact that these tests have been performed may
be revealed without further comment);
(5) information which, if prematurely released may jeopardize the
investigation or interfere with apprehension such as; the nature
ADM-08.5
of leads, specifics of an "MO", details of the crime known only to
the perpetrator and the police, or information that may cause the
suspect to flee or more effectively avoid apprehension;
(6) information that may be of evidentiary value in criminal
proceedings;
(7) specific cause of death unless officially determined by the
medical examiner; and
(8) the home address or telephone number of any member of the
department.
iii) Arrest Information
(1) Following arrest, issuance of an arrest warrant or filing of an
information or indictment, it is permissible to release
(a) the accused's name, age, residence, occupation and
family status;
(b) the time and place of arrest, whether pursuit or
resistance was encountered, whether weapons were
used, charges placed against the suspect and description
of contraband seized;
(c) the identity of the arresting officers and the duration of
the investigation unless the officers are engaged in
undercover operations; and
(d) the amount of bond, scheduled court dates and place of
the suspect's detention.
(e) a press release shall include the language: A criminal
charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is
presumed innocent unless proven guilty
(2) Following arrest and formal charging of a suspect, but prior to
adjudication, the following types of information should not be
released without the express permission of the Chief of Police
or his/her designee.
(a) Character or reputation of a defendant
(b) Existence or contents of any confession, admission or
statement of a defendant, or his/her failure or
unwillingness to make a statement (this does not
preclude the release of information that is in the public
domain)
(c) Performance or results of any tests, or a defendant's
refusal or failure to submit to tests. (i.e. polygraph or
voice stress analvzer)
(d) Identity, statement or expected testimony of any witness
(e) Any opinion about the guilt or innocence of a defendant
or the merits of the case
(f) Any opinion or knowledge of potential for a plea bargain
or other pretrial action.
e) Special Considerations - Criminal Matters
i) Whether a crime scene or scene of another nature, police have an
obligation to preserve the integrity of a scene to gather evidence and
for other needed police activities. Therefore, police personnel will
delineate the specific scene area and prevent all persons from entering
that area for such length of time as there is a need to do so. It may be
necessary for scene preservation purposes, and to control general
access to the area, to exclude the general public from not only the
scene itself, but from a reasonable area around the scene. However,
officers must recognize the need for news media representatives to
fulfill their obligation to view the immediate scene area for news
gathering or photographing purposes. The media representatives will
be accommodated, so far as conditions and circumstances permit, to
go as near as practicable to the scene itself. News representatives are
not to be considered the same as the general public in the area of a
scene but rather as persons to be accommodated so that they may
fulfill their task.
ii) The news media shall not be allowed access to any area or scene of
an incident or crime where there is possibility that evidence may be
damaged, altered, destroyed or otherwise prejudiced by its existence
being published or portrayed. Once evidence has been processed,
removed or otherwise secured by the department, the media may be
allowed to enter by permission of the commanding officer at the scene.
(1) If a police related incident is within a private building, police
personnel will secure and protect that part of the building as
may be necessary to protect the scene. Under such
circumstances all persons may be excluded from the scene until
processing is accomplished. If a request is made by a news
media representative to enter a building or part thereof, and
such entry is not precluded because of police related purposes,
the news representative must obtain permission from the owner
or other person in charge of the building or dwelling; if
permission is not given and so stated in the presence of police
personnel, officers have an obligation to ensure that the denial
is honored.
(2) Suspects or accused persons in custody shall not be posed or
arrangements made for photographs, telecasts or interviews,
nor shall departmental personnel pose with suspects or accused
persons in custody
(3) When an individual is charged with a criminal offense and/or is
sought by law enforcement authorities, photographs or mug
shots may be released to the media to help locate the individual.
No departmental photographs, mug shots, videotape, film or
composites of subjects in custody shall otherwise be released to
the media unless authorized by the Chief of Police or his/her
designee.
iii) Departmental personnel shall extend every reasonable courtesy to
news media representatives at crime or incident scenes. Members of
the Iowa City Police Department shall not engage in "off the record"
comments.
ADM-08.7
iv) At the scene of major crimes or incidents, such as hostage and
barricade situations, the officer in charge shall designate a preliminary
press area as early as reasonably possible and as close to the scene
as safety and operational requirements allow.
v) The fact that a suspected suicide has occurred may be reported to the
media, along with factual information describing how it happened. The
name, age, address, sex and occupation of the victim may also be
released following notification of next of kin. The fact that a suicide
note exists may also be acknowledged without further comment. The
content of such notes is personal and confidential and shall not be
released by the Iowa City Police Department.
f) Special Considerations - Non -criminal Matters
i) At the scene of significant accidents, man-made or natural
catastrophes, the principles of media cooperation shall be maintained
to the degree that they do not interfere with the mission of the police,
fire, medical or other emergency relief workers.
g) At fire related incidents, the decision to allow properly identified news media
representatives to pass beyond fire lines or to restrict them from a fire area,
will be the responsibility of the on -scene fire commander.
h) Sensitive information relating to internal investigation of police officers shall
not be released without the express permission of the Chief of Police or
his/her designee.
i) Daily activity reports will be made available on a routine basis to media
representatives. Statistical data may also be made available to the media.
Media representatives are expected to abide the Code of Ethics published by the
Society of Professional Journalists. In the event of a conflict between a member of the
Iowa City Police Department and the media, the parties involved are encouraged to
bring the concern to the PIO or his/her designee for resolution.
a) If a media representative wishes to speak with an individual officer the
request should be routed through the PIO or when unavailable the watch
supervisor. The watch supervisor will make the determination as to the
availability of the officer; however, to the extent possible these requests
should be made in advance. Officers are expected to cooperate with media
representatives to the extent of this policy.
b) All media questions relating to the policies of the Iowa City Police Department
should be directed to the Chief of Police or his/her designee. If questions
arise when the Chief or his/her designee is not available, notification of the
request shall be forwarded to the watch supervisor.
Jody Matherly, Chief of Police
WARNING
This directive is for departmental use only and does not apply in any criminal or civil
proceeding. The department policy should not be construed as a creation of a higher
legal standard of safety or care in an evidentiary sense with respect to third -party
claims. Violations of this directive will only form the basis for departmental
administrative sanctions.