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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2002-07-25ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING M INUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: City Hall, 108 East Green St. third floor at Council Chambers DATE: July 25, 2002 at 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Killeen, Laskowitz, McGruder, Passmore, Rovelstad, Nelson, Alderperson Pryor, Acting Chief Signer, Deputy Chief Barnes, Sgt. D. Wright, staff Nancy Falconer; Excused: Commissioner Wigden l .Approval of Minutes of June 27, 2002 Approved unanimously with the following corrections: Commissioner Rovelstad did not attend the Juneteenth tabling. At the GIAC Festival, Commissioner Passmore did not hand out brochures, but he did describe the CPB process to people. 2. Comments by the Public No one was present from the public. 3. Report From Common Council Alderperson Pryor gave her reporting time to Sgt. Doug Wright who spoke about the CPB's method of commending police officers. He said that he liked the sheet summarizing the letters of commendation to police officers that is handed around to Board members every few weeks, and that this is the first time he has seen it. He also suggested that these be put under the CPB letterhead and a copy sent to him so that he can post them as we send them to the Department. In addition, it was agreed that each time the newly approved letter is mailed, (sent from the CPB directly to the officer about his recent commendation ) a copy will also be sent to the Acting Chief, the Human Resource Department at IPD for the file, and to the officer. Sgt. Wright also asked that the letter clarify exactly what action is being acknowledged. 4. Report from the Police Department a) Acting Chief Signer reported that there has been a good deal of criticism from the public toward the officer who made the arrest at the racially motivated attack at Pete's grocery recently. Discussion followed about the public's apparent lack of awareness of police procedure in any case of a fight when it is not possible to immediately discern who attacked and who is the victim. Moral at the IPD is low because of the public criticism. She also stated that the bias crime is a felony now, and is subject to higher charges than were brought. An investigation is in the hands of the District Attorney . A discussion of whether the CPB could submit an editorial to the Ithaca Journal about this attack and its ramifications followed, and it was decided that Commissioners Rovelstad, McGruder, and Alderperson Pryor would work on a letter and submit it for the Board's approval. b) The `top free' group has been cooperative with the police, and will continue to demonstrate within the legal limits. 5. Old Business a) The 2003 budget was submitted for the Board's approval. Commissioner Rovelstad noted a correction needed to be made in one number which was copied incorrectly to the wrong column. It was approved with that correction. b) The proposed changes for the brochure were submitted by staff and were approved . The URL for the web site for CPB is not available yet because of the delay in obtaining the necessary link to the Ithaca City site, and therefore cannot be printed on the brochure, so printing will be held up until it is ready. 6. New Business a) Commissioner Killeen announced his retirement from the Board as of August first, 2002 because of his move to a different city soon. 7. Meeting adjourned to Executive Session. The next meeting of the Board is August 22.