HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2010-03-25 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: March 25, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
PRESENT:
Commissioners Slattery, Laskowitz, McGruder, and Bush; Staff: Herden
ABSENT:
Commissioners Firenze and Smith; Chief Vallely; Alderperson Zumoff
GUESTS:
Rick Rogers, applicant; members of the local press; member of the public
Chairperson Slattery called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.
1. Approval of Minutes of meeting of February 25, 2010
Commissioner Slattery noted that under Report from Police Department, in the third
paragraph, the name of the officer who received the Ithaca Kiwanis Club's Officer of the Month
Award is incorrect. His name is Scott Hoffman, not Scott Heyman. Commissioner Laskowitz
moved to approve last month's minutes with the correction. Slattery seconded. The minutes
were approved unanimously, with 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
There was no report from the Police Department.
5. Old Business
a. To date, no new appointments to the Ithaca Community Police Board have been made.
b. Election of officers is postponed until more commissioners are present.
6. New Business
Chair introduced Rick Rogers, who has applied to be a commissioner. Rogers is a teacher in
Newfield and a resident of Ithaca for the past 12 years.
Slattery outlined the commissioner application process. Applications go to the Mayor's office,
and the applicant is invited to a Community Police Board meeting. The Board provides
feedback to the Mayor's office on the applicant but does not review or approve applications.
A discussion about personal biases and how they impact commissioners' decision-making
followed. At times, a commissioner may need to recuse her/himself from voting, if s/he feels
biases would interfere. In those cases, the Board still wants the commissioners input while the
Board reviews the case. Commissioners' decisions are based on the investigation of the
complaint, not their initial reading of and reaction to the complaint letter.
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: March 25,2010 3:30 pm
Page Two of Two
The discussion continued with an overview of what happens when the Board concludes that a
complaint is founded. Although the Board may recommend actions to the Chief, how an officer
is disciplined is at the Chiefs discretion. The Board has no legal right to information about what
disciplinary action follows a "founded" decision. Because disciplinary action becomes part of an
officer's personnel record, it is not available to the public or the Community Police Board.
Commissioners went on to talk about the role of the Board. Slattery commented that the Board
can validate people's concerns and feelings and made note of the many successfully conciliated
meetings between complainants and police officers. Laskowitz described the Board as a voice
for the less powerful, and McGruder expressed her strong belief that CPB's work benefits the
community. It is also a forum for the public to show appreciation for officers. Typically, many
more compliments than complaints are received.
The importance of community outreach was briefly discussed.
7. Adjournment to Executive Session @ 4:12 pm
Motion by Commissioner Laskowitz, seconded by Commissioner Bush, to move to executive
session to discuss and vote on results of investigations of open complaints, then return to public
session and adjourn.
Three investigations were discussed:
1. One complaint case is currently inactive as complainant is pursuing legal action.
2. A rescheduled meeting between the complainant and Chief Vallely did not take place. The
Board is waiting to hear if complainant would like to reschedule or close the case.
Investigation carried over to complete. (Laskowitz)
3. Commissioner McGruder spoke with complainant, who is willing to meet with the Chief and
Deputy Chief Investigation carried over to complete. (McGruder/#0110)
4. Commissioner McGruder has been assigned to a new case and will telephone
complainant. (McGruder/#0210)
No new complaints were received. One new letter of compliment arrived in March.