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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-2011-01-27ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD MEETING APPROVED MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Third Floor, Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street TIME /DATE: January 27, 2011 @ 3:30 pm PRESENT: Commissioners Slattery, Firenze, and Bush; Staff: Herden ABSENT /EXCUSED: Commissioners Laskowitz, McGruder, and Smith; Alderperson Zumoff; Chief Vallely GUESTS: Claire Grady, Fred Mano, James Ricks, and Leslie Schultz Chairperson Slattery called the meeting to order at 3:36 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes of Meeting of December 16, 2010 Commissioner Firenze moved to approve last month's minutes. Commissioner Slattery seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously. 2. Comments from the Public Introducing herself, Claire Grady said that she, Mano, Ricks, and Schultz were attending the board meeting to become more familiar with this body and the processes it follows. Grady recalled a good experience she had years ago with the ICPB, following a protest in DeWitt Park regarding female toplessness. She referred to a helpful community workshop series that followed. A discussion of the procedures, powers, and history of the ICPB followed. Commissioner Bush encouraged guests to consider applying to be members of the ICPB and to encourage others to apply. James Ricks said that some members of the community feel there's not much use in complaining and that doing so will expose them to retaliation from the police. Commissioner Slattery commented on the value of tracking patterns of abuse allegations. He went on to discuss ICPB's role in making recommendations regarding police procedures. An example of an ICPB recommendation that was acted on is the setting and taking of bail on -site for certain open- container infractions. A recommendation that was not followed involved the ICPB's opposition to the IPD's purchase and use of tasers. The ICPB's opposition was based on two concerns: 1) There are two impacts of tasering, at least one of which is often difficult or impossible to control. The first impact is when the person is tasered; the second occurs when s /he falls as a result of the tasering. 2) Reliance on tasers has the potential to decrease the use of negotiation skills as well as dehumanize the interaction between the law enforcement officer and the person s /he is dealing with. Grady questioned the need for a SWAT team and spoke of a growing movement to "de- militarize our community." Commissioner Slattery reported that the recommendation for a SWAT team came from the New York State review of the incident during which Officer Padula was killed. Grady made the point that members of a community are responsible for public policies put in place in their name and for their interest. She went on to state, "Militarization of societies are never an indication of moving into democratization." 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. Report from Staff Herden will be out of town during February's board meeting. Commissioner Slattery has agreed to take minutes. 6. Old Business a. To date, no new appointments to the Ithaca Community Police Board have been made. b. An application for the position of Youth Commissioner was received and passed along to the Mayor. 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: January 27, 2011 @ 3:30 pm 7. New Business Commissioner Firenze will be out of town for the next two board meetings. 8. Adjournment to Executive Session @ 5:03 pm Motion by Commissioner Slattery, seconded by Commissioner Firenze, to move to executive session to discuss open complaints then return to public session and adjourn. Three new investigations were discussed and assigned: 1. Two complaint cases were assigned to Commissioner McGruder. 2. One case was assigned to Commissioner Bush. 9. Meeting Adjourned Three new complaints and no new citizen letters of compliment were received just prior to and at the January 2011 board meeting.