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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1994-04-22 w r--bi IT$g4„ CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD 120 EAST CLINTON STREET (807) 272.9973 ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850-5689 EXTENSION 310 MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Second Floor Conference Room,City Hall TIME &DATE: ' April 22, 1994 at 2:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Lappin-Lisbe, Nelson, Sarachan, Seligmann, Teasley; Chief McEwen, PBA President Martin, Mayor Nichols, Alderperson Shenk, Rita Linger from Community Dispute Resolution Center, Wendy Skinner from the Ithaca Journal,a representative from WVBR. 1. Commissioner Seligmann called the meeting to order. 2. Approve Minutes of Meeting of March 25, 1994: The minutes of the March 25, 1994 meeting were approved with the following revision under 1. Commissioner Sarachan called the meeting to order 3. Report from Common Council: Rita Linger from the Community Dispute Resolution Center passed out their proposal and job description for the lay advocate program Discussion followed about the official name of the advocates. After some discussion,the Community Police Board approved "Community Police Advocates". Discussion followed about training for the advocates and Ms. Linger noted that the goal is to have 12 - 15 volunteers to start and hopefully get a firm commitment from a minimum of 12 advocates. Ms. Linger noted that Community Dispute Resolution Center will periodically update the Community Police Board as to the progress of the Community Police Advocates. Discussion followed about the job description for the Community Police Advocates. The Community Police Board suggested that the first paragraph be written as follows: A Community-Police Advocate is a volunteer who will work with the Community Dispute Resolution Center and the Community-Police Board and the Chief of Police to assist citizens who have concerns involving the Ithaca Police Department. Mayor Nichols commended Chief McEwen and the Ithaca Police Department for how they are handling the protesters at Christianos with no acts of violence or arrests reported thus far. Mayor Nichols noted that Chief McEwen did an excellent job organizing this. Community Police Board Meeting Minutes Page 2 April 22, 1994 4. Comments from the Public: There were no comments from members of the public. 5. Report of the Chief: Chief McEwen noted that he has promoted Randolph Haus to Captain and Glenn Sharshon,Vincent Monticello and Roderick Howe to Lieutenant. He noted that he has hired two new officers - John Barber and Lester Bailey. Chief McEwen also noted that on Tuesday, April 26, 1994, he will be promoting Drew Martin, Timothy Williams and Joan Russell to Sergeant. He noted that Officer Martin will be resigning his position as PBA President due to this promotion and that Officer Mike Gray,Vice President of the PBA,will assume the duties of President. Chief McEwen briefly discussed the recent press conference involving Commissioner Edmonds and Diann Sams. He gave the Community Police Board a brief background on Ms. Sams' complaint, noting that this will be more fully discussed in Executive Session. Chief McEwen noted that he is very sympathetic with both sides but felt this incident should not have been discussed in the newspaper. Wendy Skinner from the Ithaca Journal offered to give the Community Police Board the media's view of a press conference at a future meeting which the Community Police Board gladly accepted. Chief McEwen discussed a recent personnel complaint that was reported on in The Ithacan regarding Officer Drew Martin. He passed out a letter from Ms. Sarah Yengo supporting Officer Martin's actions in this complaint. 6. Comments from PBA President: Commissioner Seligmann congratulated PBA President Drew Martin on his upcoming promotion to Sergeant. PBA President Martin also discussed the Sams' complaint and the subsequent press conference. He expressed his displeasure at not being invited to the press conference and felt that the Community Police Board did not act properly by airing this personnel complaint out in the press. PBA President Martin gave the Community Police Board a brief history of their origins, noting that the number of commissioners went from 1 to 7 in the 11 years that the Community Police Board has existed. During this time,PBA President Martin noted that no officers have been suspended or dismissed as a result of a Community Police Board complaint investigation. Discussion followed about the number of commissioners on the Community Police Board and why it has increased to seven. 7. Old Business: Due to the time limit,the Community Police Board decided to discuss "A Guide To A Better Understanding Between You and the Ithaca Police Dept." and the Complaint Procedure form at the May meeting as well as reviewing the 1993-1996 PBA contract and review of the Community Police Board Complaint Forms for language barriers. 8. New Business: Discussion followed regarding the possibility of appointing a liaison to the PBA. Chief McEwen suggested that the Community Police Board members make an effort to attend the PBA's May meeting to introduce themselves to PBA members. This will be discussed further at the Community Police Board meeting in May. 9. Adjournment: The next Meeting of the Community Police Board is scheduled to be held on May 27, 1994 at 2:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of City Hall. Commissioner Sarachan will chair the May meeting in the absence of Co-Chairs Seligmann and Edmonds. The Community Police Board adjourned into Executive Session at 4:05 p.m.