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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1995-11-17 \ 4E; 4 /I T VI& f, fTITm CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD PO BOX 6557 ITHACA, NEW YORK 14851-6557 MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall TIME & DATE: November 17, 1995 at 2:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Carrington, Sarachan, Seligmann, Teasley, Yarrow. Chief McEwen, Deputy Chief Barnes, Alderperson Shenk. 1 . Commissioner Sarachan called the meeting to order. 2. Approve Minutes of Meeting of October 27, 1995 by Commissioner Seligmann, seconded by Commissioner Carrington. RESOLVED, That the minutes of the October 27, 1995 Community Police Board Meeting be approved as published. Carried Unanimously 3. Report from Common Council: Alderperson Shenk noted that Common Council is in the middle of budget reviews, noting the Police Department budget will be discussed on November 27, 1995. Alderperson Shenk noted that there is no new discussion regarding the City residency requirement. However, the Community Police Board noted that they would like to discuss this further at their December meeting. Alderperson Shenk noted that the nuisance abatement discussions may resurface. Commissioner Sarachan congratulated Alderperson Shenk on her re- election to Common Council. 4. Comments from the Public: Rita Linger from the Community Dispute Resolution Center gave the Community Police Board a current intake record from the Community Police Advocates. Ms. Linger noted that the recent Youth Forum with Officers Torres and Slattery was very successful and that plans are being made to have another one at the high school with a few more officers involved. Ithaca Community Police Board Page 2 Meeting Minutes November 17, 1995 5. Report of the Chief: Chief McEwen voiced his concern over some of the Affirmative Action Committee's latest proposals in regards to the hiring process. They would like increased power over who is hired for the City. Chief McEwen noted that the Affirmative Action Committee would like "veto" power over candidate selection. He noted that he has tried to increase the women and minorities who take the police officer civil service examinations, but would like the Affirmative Action Committee's help in recruiting these candidates. Chief McEwen noted that he has received approval from the Vacancy Review Committee to hire 3 new officers and they will probably come from the City hiring list, noting that one you commit to the City list you cannot revert back to the County list. Chief McEwen noted that he has hired a lateral transfer, Blake Pierce, from the Schuyler County Sheriff's Department. Deputy Chief Barnes noted that the current manpower shortage is impacting the moral of the Department as officers cannot get time off but that they are in the process of scheduling interviews for the 3 approved officer positions. Chief McEwen noted that he is in the process of contacting Mayor-elect Cohen to establish a working relationship with him before he actually takes office. Chief McEwen noted that he, Mayor Nichols and Kathy Hellwig from the Ithaca City School District met with the Coalition for Children First and that is was a good meeting. He also noted that there is increased police presence at the High School, with Sergeant Beau Saul and Officer Bill Finnerty making visits periodically. 6. Comments from PBA President: PBA President Gray was not present. 7. Old Business: There was no old business. 8. New Business: Discussion followed about a possible limit on the number of terms a commissioner can serve. Commissioner Sarachan was not in favor of a term limit, noting that consistency is good and that it takes time to learn how to do the complaint interviews. Commissioner Teasley was concerned that the Community Police Board could become too familiar with the police officers and each other. Alderperson Shenk felt that the number of commissioners and the turnover rate would not allow this. This topic will be discussed at a future meeting. Alderperson Shenk asked Chief McEwen if the officers could be offered the training program for the Institute for the Healing of Racism. She suggested that perhaps an incentive program could be offered to officers to take this course. Chief McEwen felt that this program is very good but any kind of incentives would have to go into contract discussions. Ithaca Community Police Board Page 3 Meeting Minutes November 17, 1995 Alderperson Shenk suggested that Commissioner Teasley contact Mayor- elect Cohen and advise him of the upcoming vacancies on the Ithaca Community Police Board, i.e. Commissioner Carrington's term and the current vacant position which both expire on December 31, 1995. Commissioner Carrington mentioned that she had a name of a person who is interested in serving on the Community Police Board which she will share with Commissioner Teasley for Mayor-elect Cohen's consideration. Commissioner Sarachan asked that the Appeal Process for Civilian Complaints Against Police Personnel be put on the December agenda for discussion. 9. Adiournment: The next meeting of the Community Police Board is scheduled to be held on December 15, 1995 at 2:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of City Hall. On a motion by Commissioner Seligmann, seconded by Commissioner Teasley, the Community Police Board adjourned into Executive Session at 3:48 p.m. Alderperson Shenk asked if she could stay for the Executive Session which no Community Police Board member objected to. CPB/lac