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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2013-09-25CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting 3:30 p.m. September 25, 2013 Present: Commissioners (7) Kane, Rogers, Brower, DaGrossa, Levine, LaPadula, Wright OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liason Kerslick Police Chief Barber City Clerk Conley Holcomb EXCUSED: Commissioner Baker CALL TO ORDER: 3:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner LaPadula RESOLVED, that the minutes of the August 28, 2013 Community Police Board meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously REPORT FROM COMMON COUNCIL: Common Council Liaison Kerslick reported that he and Commissioner DaGrossa still need to follow up with the Principal of New Roots Charter School regarding the search for a youth member. He, also, spoke with members of the Youth Council, and they indicated that they were already over extended. Chief Barber offered to assist in obtaining a contact for the Ithaca City School District as well. Chair Kane noted that it would be great to find a high school Junior who would be interested in serving and would support that student receiving course credit for their service to the Board. Alderperson Kerslick further reported that the Mayor will be proposing a new Deputy Chief of Professional Standards and Investigations position as part of the 2014 Budget. He shared the proposed position description and explained that the Police Chief and the Mayor would have joint supervision of the position. The position would be considered management and not part of the PBA, and the Chief of Police would make the appointment to the position. If approved in the budget the new Deputy Chief would serve as the IPD liaison to the Board. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the difference between internal investigations and Community Police Board investigations. The CPB will continue using the same investigation procedures and a dual procedure will be used, if applicable, for internal investigations. Further discussion followed regarding internal promotion vs. outside candidates. Chief Barber and members of the Board indicated their preference for the selection of an internal candidate for the position. Board members asked how they could provide input to Common Council during the budget process to voice their support for the new position. Resolution in Support of the Creation of a Deputy Chief of Professional Standards and Investigations: By Commissioner Wright: Seconded by Commissioner DaGrossa RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board supports the funding of a new Deputy Chief of Professional Standards and Investigations position in the Ithaca Police Department. Carried Unanimously City Clerk Holcomb will forward this Resolution to Common Council for their consideration. REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Chief Barber reported on the tragic loss of Officer Amanda Van Houten on September 8, 2013. He noted that it has been very hard for the department and grief counselors have been brought in to assist people through this difficult time. Chief Barber further reported that he has received approval to hire 3 new officers to fill two vacancies and one retirement. Call loads remain steady which challenges the department as they are short- staffed. He has been meeting with the PBA Labor /Management Board to discuss the implementation of 12 hour shifts and will meet with the PBA members next month to obtain their feedback. Chief Barber noted that he would like to run a pilot program from January -June 2014 with 2 platoons on 12 hour shifts to evaluate its effectiveness. Chief Barber received nine (9) accommodation letters that he shared with the Board. OLD BUSINESS: Chair Rogers explained that the CPB voted to delete Officers names from reports at the last meeting; however, he would like to reconsider that decision. Discussion followed on the floor regarding the reasons why /why not names should be used in the reports including FOIL requests, internal investigations, officer exonerations, etc. Resolution: By Commissioner Brower: Seconded by Commissioner Levine RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board reverses its decision to delete Officers names from investigation reports. Carried Unanimously 2 NEW BUSINESS: Investigation Procedures Chair Kane clarified that investigations should go to both the Police Chief and the Mayor. The Chief's Office will forward a copy of the completed investigation of the involved officer. The results of an investigation should be sent out prior to the meeting so Commissioners are prepared to discuss the findings at the meeting. Commissioners should forward the investigation to the City Clerk's Office and staff will distribute them to the Board electronically with a confidentiality disclaimer. The CPB Guidelines update should be placed on next month's agenda as an item under "Old Business ". The Community Police Board will extend an invitation to IPD Supervisors in late Fall /early winter for a joint viewing of Race: The Power of Illusion and the corresponding facilitated discussion. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner LaPadula RESOLVED, That the Community Police Board enter into Executive Session to discuss active investigations. Carried Unanimously RECONVENE: The Board reconvened into Regular Session. Resolution: By Commissioner Rogers: Seconded by Commissioner LaPadula RESOLVED, That Case 2013 -04 is hereby closed. Carried Unanimously Case 2013 -06 remains under investigation and will be brought back to the October meeting for consideration. Resolution: By Commissioner Kane: Seconded by Commissioner Brower RESOLVED, That Case 2013 -07 is hereby closed. Carried Unanimously ADJOURNMENT: On a motion the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk