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Home My WebLink About2002 Community Police Board Annual ReportITEMS FOR 2002 REPORT Joined Nacole September of 2002, Explain what it is- does; Chair is voting member, rest of Board are non voting members. Went on city web site with description of Board's purpose and goals. Included is public's ability to download the forms . New brochure printed with updated items such as website info and some changes in wording of discrimination policy., as well as info on newer forms where compliments can be given as well as complaints. Summary of commendations: 15 Summary of 2002 cases: 14 complaints received. Findings, 9 un founded; 4 founded and 1 conciliated ,new members: Resignation of Sean Killeen because of move out of State. New member, Daniel Whispell appointed in December, 2002. ride alongs: Were scheduled so that each Board member went at least 1 X a month on ridealong. camera in station: I think this was in 2001 but haven't tracked it down yet. publicity /tablings : continued as in prev years with balloons printed with CPB, and info on CPB given out: at Applefest, Southside, Pud's run, GIAC festival. police chief search: Three members took part in chief search by serving on committee. police academy: ? ( how many) members attended the Police Academy- ? how many sessions- goals. New Computer, hooked into city system. CITY OF ITHACA 318 North Albany Street Ithaca, New York 14850 COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Telephone: 607/275-0799 Annual Report January, 2002- June, 2003 The Community Police Board is charged with the responsibility to "act as community liaison to the Police Department, actively fostering positive communication between police and all segments of the community. It shall make provisions for resolving complaints by the citizenry related to the delivery of police services...." Following is a brief summary of the activities of the Community Police Board (current membership list attached) for the year 2002 and the first half of the year 2003. NACOLE Membership The Board voted to join the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement ( "NACOLE ".) NACOLE provides communication to the oversight community and other interested persons through newsletters, conferences; trainings, news, and academic article dissemination. NACOLE Conferences are venues where critical issues in police accountability are addressed. Equally important, the conferences give the oversight community the chance to come together and connect in "real time and space." NACOLE holds an annual conference each autumn, and provides a great deal of information regarding similar situations in other cities and communities through its daily email list serv. We look forward'to exploring new ways of learning from our peers through the services of NACOLE over the coming year, including representation at its annual conference in 2004. Commendations to Police Officers The Board is regularly apprised of commendation letters, recognitions, etc., received by IPD in reference to outstanding service provided by individuals within the department. Once we are aware, we also send a note of recognition to the staff member. We believe this is an important part of being a liaison between the department and the community. CPR Mnn »I Renort -- 01 doc New Commissioners We have welcomed the appointment of three new members of the Community Police Board in the past eighteen months: Dan Slattery, a former IPD Officer; Danny Whispell, a long -time member of the community, and Casey Dill, a youth member. They have already proven to be valuable contributors to the work that we do. Police Chief Search Committee Three members of the Community Police Board were very involved in the search process for Ithaca's new Police Chief in the latter half of 2002. It was quite a lengthy and complicated process, and the Board is pleased with Mayor Cohen's appointment of Chief Victor Loo. We have enjoyed a good working relationship With the Chief, as well as with Deputy Chiefs Barnes and Signer. Ride- Alongs Each of the Commissioners participates in a ride -along with Officers on an annual basis (minimum,) which has provided much insight into the everyday workings of protecting and serving our community. This experience is valuable when investigating citizen complaints. Police Station Equipment The Board provided critical input in 2001 that resulted in the installation of video recording equipment in the Intake sections of the Police Department so that processing of individuals brought to the station might be better documented. There have been numerous technical and logistical difficulties, some of which have yet to be resolved. We are hopeful this will be an effective tool in conducting our investigations in the future. Summary of 2002 Cases and Findings Attached is a matrix that summarizes the case activity of the Community Police Board. A review indicates that the number of complaints has trended downward over the past eighteen months. There are no clear -cut answers as to why this is happening. It might be well to point out, however, that this trend does not appear to be an exception to the national trend in communities where oversight groups have been in place for some time. We believe we have been good stewards of the responsibility placed on us to serve in this way. Publicity and Tablings Board members have been involved in numerous outreaches to our constituency during the past eighteen months. This includes tabling at most major community and neighborhood events, festivals on the Commons, speaking at various clubs and organizations about the work we do, and performing a support role in the annual Pud's Run. On occasion, various media organizations in town have cooperated in making the public aware of our work, and special community sessions that are held for CPB Annual Report -- 03.doc the benefit of the general public. We have also discussed ways to get the word out more fully, and would welcome any suggestions in this regard. Summary This year has been a year of growth for the Board. It has been rewarding experience, and I personally want to recognize the hard work of each Commissioner, our Council Liaison, Pat Pryor, and our part - time staff member, Nancy Falconer. We also appreciate the support that Mayor Cohen, and members of the City Council have shown at numerous times along the way. Respectfully submitted, Bob Wigden Chair Ithaca Community Police Board CPB Annual Report -- 03.doc CITY OF ITHACA 318 North Albany Street Ithaca, New York 14850 COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Telephone: 60'; 2-5 -0-99 ITHACA CITY COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIONS AND FINDINGS 1999 - 2003 with number of letters o*commendations to IPD Total Opened Letters to IPD YEAR Open at end of year Conciliated Founded Unfounded Withdrawn To 15 Aug.2003 5 at Aug 15 1 0 0 0 6 24 2002 0 1 4 9 0 14 20 2001 3 1 3 5 1 13 26 2000 6 0 3 10 3 22 51 1999 8 2 0.5 3.5 4 i 18 65 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD SUMMARY OF COMPLAINTS AND DISPOSITIONS, yr . "0 111nnn linn l .,..a lvnnly 17nnz UNDER YEAR INVESTIGAT CONCILIAT FOUND UNFOUND TAXI APPEA ION AT 12120 ED ED ED LICENSE L GRANTED DENIE D 2003 1 2002 6 1 4 9 0 0 2001 3 1 3 5 0 0 2000 4 0 3 10 0 1 1999 6 2 0.5 3.5 0 1 SUMMARY OF REASONS GIVEN BY COMPLAINANTS WHO FILED 2001 THRU 2003 Harassment: 2 Intimidation /threatening verbally 3 Prejudice / discrimination 1 Rudeness /verbal abuse 7 Excessive force 5 false arrest 3 Aggressive or threatening behavior 3 Incorrect procedures 4 Disrespectful speech and methods, as well as hostile verbal behavior when complainant commented or asked questions, was mentioned in almost all complaints .(25)