HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2020-9-23CITY OF ITHACA
COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. September 23, 2020
Present:
Commissioners (7) Beem-Miller, Rogers, Wright, Simons, Korthuis, Onyejuruwa
Youth Commissioner: Logue
Others Present:
IPD Acting Chief - Nayor
IPD Deputy Chief- Joly
Common Council Liaison - Kerslick
Public Information Specialist - Faraday
Excused:
Chair Kane
Absent:
Call to Order: 3:30p.m.
Report from Common Council:
Alderperson Kerslick shared that Common Council is beginning Budget processes, the Mayor's
Budget will be presented in October. Common Council has continued to meet during the
pandemic via Zoom, thanks to the city staff support members for making this process possible.
Kerslick relays that Common Council has been impressed with the response of the IPD on
protest detail, thanks for their patience and for not over-reacting.
Report from the Police Department:
Chief Nayor stated that IPD has been present during 15 weeks of protests, applauds officers for
their response, shares that the Department has been very taxed with long hours of overtime, and
at times harsh language, disruptive and destructive behaviors by some participants in the
protests. The Department continues to strive to protect officers from fatigue during these trying
shifts.
Deputy Chief Joly shares an overview of external investigations from 2020, of which there were
9. results of these investigations were: 1 not sustained, 3 sustained, 2 unfounded, and 3
exonerated. It is noted that none of these individuals went to Community Police Board in
addition to their requests for investigation via IPD.
Commissioner Onyejuruwa posed a question from which a discussion took place involving the
direct efforts of IPD to address the black communities locally about the motivation behind the
protests. DC Joly states that efforts to engage in conversation with the individuals protesting are
not fruitful. Chief Nayor states that previous community outreach has been negatively impacted
by COVID19 and an inability to engage directly with community members.
Onyejuruwa asks for an update on the investigation process involving Christine Barksdale, Chief
Nayor states that the legal process prevents an open dialogue about the investigation, gives a
brief background of the case to the group. Deputy Chief Joly states that upon the repeal of 50 -a,
these records would be made publicly available.
The Commissioners and the Chief and Deputy Chief have a discussion about the importance of
engaging community with police work, and potential to do so in the future, how staffing impacts
these efforts by moving priority to call response.
MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ACTIVE
INVESTIGATIONS:
2020-2
Final Draft Report for 2020-2 was passed on a motion
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Melody Faraday, Public Information Specialist
For the City Clerkâs Office