HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2010-02-25 ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING APPROVED
MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board
PLACE: Third Floor,Common Council Chambers,City Hall, 108 East Green Street
TIME/DATE: February 25, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
PRESENT: Commissioners Slattery, Laskowitz, McGruder, and Smith; Chief Vallely; Staff:
Falconer and Herden
ABSENT: Commissioners Firenze and Bush; Alderperson Zumoff
GUESTS: none
Chair Slattery called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.
1. Approval of Minutes of meeting of January 28,2010
Commissioner Laskowitz moved to approve last month's minutes. Commissioner Smith
seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously, without changes.
2. Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
3. Report from Common Council
There was no report from Common Council.
4. Report from Police Department
Chief Vallely reported on some of the steps taken to support his officers, as a response to the
shooting of February 23. This support includes providing the opportunity for pastoral
counseling and having officers work in pairs for a period of time to facilitate peer support. The
community response to the police's handling of the incident has included much positive
feedback, as well as some threats against Sergeant Bangs. The State Police is the lead
agency in the follow-up investigation. Chief Vallely noted that their response has been
"amazing,"and they have been able in a short time to bring a great many resources to bear.
There are two openings for police officers, with a required civil service exam scheduled for
May 5, 2010. Mentoring for the written exam is available, free of charge. In addition,
candidates who pass the written exam may avail themselves of coaching to help prepare for
the physical agility test. To broaden the diversity of the applicant pool, the search for new
officers has been expanded nationwide.
Several letters of commendation and appreciation from the public arrived during the past
month. Officer Scott Hoffman received the Ithaca Kiwanis Club's Officer of the Month Award in
recognition of his life-saving efforts during an apparent suicide attempt.
5. Old Business
a. To date, no new appointments to the Ithaca Community Police Board have been made.
b. Nancy Falconer has been approved to work an additional month on the CPB staff.
6. New Business
Commissioner Slattery was interviewed by the Ithaca Journal about the Community Police
Board. It is Community Police Board policy that all media and interview requests are directed
to the Chairperson. The Chair speaks on behalf of the CPB, other commissioners do not talk
to the press while in their role as board members of the Community Police Board.
Slattery spoke to a reporter about the role, policies, and procedures of the Community Police
Board, as well as the range of complaints received by the board and the options available to
complainants.
ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING APPROVED
MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board
PLACE: Third Floor, Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street
TIME/DATE: February 25, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
Page Two of Two
7. Adjournment to Executive Session @ 3:53 pm
Motion by Commissioner Laskowitz, seconded by Commissioner McGruder, to move to
executive session to discuss and vote on results of investigations of open complaints, return to
public session and adjourn.
Two investigations were discussed:
t One complaint case is now inactive as complainant is pursuing legal action. (Slattery)
2. Commissioner Laskowitz reported that the complainant was unable to make the
scheduled meeting with Chief Valiely. Complainant said they would call to
reschedule. Investigation carried over to complete.
No new complaints have been filed. Eight notes of appreciation or commendation, referencing
14 officers, were received at the board meeting.
8. Meeting adjourned at 4:07 pm.
The Chair called for adjournment; Commissioner Laskowitz seconded.