The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMN-CPB-2020-01-22CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. January 22, 2020 Present: Chair: Kane Commissioners (7) Beem-Miller, Rogers, Simons, Korthuis, Onyejuruwa, McCauley Youth Commissioner: Logue Others Present: IPD Chief – Nayor IPD Deputy Chief - Joly Common Council Liaison - Kerslick Public Information Specialist - Faraday Absent: Commissioner Wright Nomination of Chair Commissioner Rogers nominated Shirley Kane for the role of Chair for the year 2020. Resolution By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner Onyejuruwa RESOLVED, That Shirley Kane be appointed as Chair for the Community Police Board for the year 2020. Carried Unanimously Approval of the December 18, 2019 Community Police Board Meeting Minutes- Resolution: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner Simons RESOLVED, That the minutes of the December 18, 2019 Community Police Board meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously Introductions: Chair Kane led a round of introductions and congratulations were shared as the Community Policy Board has been fully appointed for the first time in 10 years. Police Chief Nayor welcomed the new members and introduced new appointed Deputy Police Chief of Professional Standards John Joly. Deputy Chief Joly has been with the Ithaca Police Department for 15 years and will be attending the Community Police Board meetings. Report from Common Council: Alderperson Kerslick noted that three Commissioners have terms which have expired and asked if those members are still interested in serving on the Board. Commissioners Beem-Miller and Rogers expressed their interest in continuing to serve. Alderperson Kerslick will reach out to Commissioner Wright to ascertain his interest in being reappointed to the Board. Alderperson Kerslick reported that the Ithaca Police Department and the City have been featured heavily in the media lately and Common Council has been briefed several times on the case involving IPD’s Investigations Division. He also noted that a lawsuit regarding an excessive use of force involving a 2016 party at a residence in South Hill was recently settled in the amount of $251,000. He stressed the importance of the Community Police Board, noting that often these cases are misunderstandings of procedure and protocol. He stated that he is hopeful that a full Board and the addition of the new Deputy Police Chief will help to enhance community relations. Extensive discussion followed on the floor regarding the recent publicity surrounding the Investigations Division, the role of the Community Police Board, the Mayor’s actions, and the process followed for personnel issues. Report from the Police Department: Police Chief Nayor reported provided an overview of the investigation into the actions of the Investigations Division. He explained that Deputy Chief Joly was assigned to Internal Affairs in March 2019. There was an anomaly with one investigator’s cases. It was brought forward to City officials that there was an issue. Leadership’s stance was an attempt to get justice for the victims. All media inquiries were responded to with “it’s a personnel matter that we are not at liberty to discuss”, and there was not any one individual who was identified as responsible. He stated that the focus of this incident at that point was on the victims and they worked with the District Attorney’s Office and try to do the best possible with the information that was uncovered. Commissioner Onyejuruwa asked how many officers were assigned to investigations. Chief Nayor responded that all officers have the cases they are assigned. Each police officer is a generalist now, rather than a specialist. This change took place in March 2019. He noted that there are statements being portrayed in media reports that are not correct; however, it is not possible for IPD to come forward and correct them as issues relating to personnel are protected under section 50-a of the New York Civil Rights Law. He stated that IPD is not trying to avoid anything, an issue was uncovered and brought forward to the City’s leaders for the sake of transparency. Commissioner Onyejuruwa asked how cases were assigned. Deputy Chief Joly responded that the investigators would generally only handle felony complaints, sometimes misdemeanors. He stated that 40 officers are on road patrol, investigative division was comprised of 6 people. He explained that Road Patrol would take the initial complaint, gather information, determine who is involved, witnesses, suspects, etc. If the case is clearly going to need investigative support, it would be sent to the Supervisor of Investigations. Every case gets assigned to 1 person (not to say there aren’t multiple people helping with each case). Discussion followed regarding the case load volume for each investigator, the role of the supervisors, and the need for permanent change. The commissioners shared their thoughts regarding the damage caused by the court of public opinion when pertinent information that would allow the public to put issues into context is not allowed to be shared. They expressed their displeasure with the way this case has been publicly handled by the Mayor. Council Liaison Kerslick encouraged the Board to write a letter to the Mayor or ask him to address the Board at a future meeting to discuss this issue further with him. Police Chief Nayor further reported on a recent attack on a police officer with a knife, noting that another officer is recovering from an intentional break to the nose, another officer is suffering from a concussion due to a struggle in an apprehension, and another officer is out with an injured knee form a work related injury. Commissioner Onyejuruwa asked if Chief Nayor felt that violent crimes were up. Chief Nayor said that the data from 2019 was being compared to 2018. He noted that there have been multiple incidents lately where shots have been fired. He explained that when injury rates are high it is usually indicative of other things/ issues. Staff is working more hours and it’s a challenge to stay ahead of the curve. He reported that he has brought on 8 new officers: • 1 was terminated in training • 1 quit at academy • 1 resigned after training • 2 people are on administrative leave • 5-6 officers are on disability leave • 2 Sergeants have retired along with 1 lieutenant, 1 officer, and 1 chief. He is trying to draw from a pool that is depleted. Going 10 years without a contract is a huge challenge, in addition to the bigger issues. The day to day operations offer no shortage of issues. He reported that he is still meeting with community groups and trying to keep up with the training and tactical units. Further discussion took place regarding the impact the police contract has on recruiting lateral transfers and the need to fill promotional opportunities. Chief Nayor announced that he was invited to a LEAD conference. He explained that there is no motivation for arrest quotas, if low level crime could be diverted to programs focused on providing services that would be great. He recently met with the staff at Amici House to discuss the services they offer. He stated that his 2020 Goals are to implement the three C’s: Core, Consistency, and Connections. This includes staff recruitment, intelligence led policing, modifying training to make it more leadership based, cultural sensitivity & competence. Commissioner Onyejuruwa asked Chief Nayor how he keeps up department morale. Chief Nayor responded that it’s challenge but he has brought in Chiropractors and other specialists, put out information on mindfulness, yoga, and overall wellness. He’s working on finding people a niche to feel connected to, a spot that they feel they are treated fairly and consistently. He has created department-wide meetings, so staff knows that it’s an open environment. He has established meetings with the union leaders to try to present challenges before they become out of control. He views the Deputy Chiefs as advisors, and he is looking at everything within his daily control. Looking at everything in his control daily. The building was painted after hours, new chairs and monitors were purchased for the victim/witness area, and gender-neutral restrooms were established. Further discussion followed regarding award dinners and City recognition awards. The department lost its Public Information Officer, so Chief Nayor is now administering the department’s Facebook page. Youth Commissioner Logue noted that the SJL has two slots for the Police, one about women in the IPD, and one about challenges facing staffing. She asked if Officer Orsaio would be interested in coming in to speak to the LGBTQ club. Chief Nayor responded that she would. Commissioner Korthius noted that she has been meeting with the Police Chiefs since Chief Barber and stated that Chief Nayor has a lot on his plate. Members of the Board offered their assistance to the Chief. Review of the Annual report was deferred to the next meeting. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner Kortihus RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board enter into Executive Session to discuss active investigations. Carried Unanimously RECONVENE: The Community Police Board reconvened into Regular Session with no formal action taken. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Melody Faraday, Public Information Specialist For the City Clerk’s Office