HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Community Police Board Annual ReportCOMMUNITY POLICE BOARD REPORT - 2011
In 2011, the Community Police Board (CPB) received 11 new complaints from citizens
about interactions with police officers and 25 compliments of their interactions with
them. No complaints were carried over from 2010. In addition to accepting complaints
and compliments regarding the Ithaca City Police, CPB hears and rules on taxi license
appeals. In 2011, the Board heard no taxi license appeals. Below is a chart showing
the numbers and findings of the Board after complaint investigations were completed.
2n11
Referred
Founded
Unfounded
Conciliated
Withdrawn
Inactive
Open
Total
1
0
6
3
1
0
0
11
2010
Referred
Founded
Unfounded
Conciliated
Withdrawn
Inactive
O en
Total
0
1
3
1
1
0
0
6
2009
Referred
Founded
Unfounded
Conciliated
Withdrawn
Inactive
Open
Total
1
2
6
2
2
2
1
16
The past three years of activity is shown here for comparative purposes. Executive
Assistant Della Herden resigned in July of 2012 before the 2011 report could be
finalized; therefore, narrative data regarding the number of phone calls received and the
patterning of incidents is not available for 2011.
Several Commissioner transitions occurred during the year, including the resignation of
5 Commissioners; a term expiration for a Commissioner who no longer wished to serve
on the Board; and another term expiration for a Commissioner who continues to serve in
the role until re- appointed or replaced pursuant to the City Code. Two new
Commissioners and one Youth Member were appointed to the Board in 2011.
Members of the CPB met with Mayor Peterson and her Ad -hoc Charter and Code
Working Group to discuss the history of the Board, current practices, and obstacles that
interfere with the efficiency of the Board. The Police Chief and Deputy Chiefs also met
with the Working Group to discuss ways that the Department could interact more
effectively with the CPB. CPB Board members indicated that they did not feel it was
appropriate for them to act as an appeal board for taxicab licensing issues and
recommended that the task be reassigned to a different entity.
A new background check process for perspective Commissioners was implemented. A
waiver form was developed that is included with the application /resume forms for people
who are interested in serving on the Board and the Ithaca Police Department is
responsible for ensuring that the checks are made. Information is forwarded to the
Mayor prior to any appointments being made.
Research was conducted, and contacts were made to benchmark how other community
police boards are operating, such as the Syracuse Citizen Review Board.
Community outreach efforts included articles in the Ithaca Journal and the Ithaca Times,
weekly posting of open office hours in Tompkins Weekly, a revised Citizen Complaint —
Compliment form (now available at the City of Ithaca website, where CPB minutes and
agendas can also be read), tabling during the Apple Harvest Festival and Juneteenth.