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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 Community Police Board Annual ReportCITY OF ITHACA 301 West Court Street Ithaca, New York 14850 COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Telephone: 607/275 -0799 E -mail: cpb @cityofithaca.org COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD REPORT - 2010 In 2010, the Community Police Board (CPB) received 5 new complaints from citizens about interactions with police officers and 54 compliments of their interactions with them. One complaint was carried over from 2009, eventually resulting in its being withdrawn. In addition to accepting complaints and compliments regarding the Ithaca City Police, CPB hears and rules on taxi license appeals. In 2010, the Board heard no taxi license appeals. Below is a chart showing the numbers and findings of the Board after complaint investigations were completed. Referred Founded Unfounded Conciliated Withdrawn Inactive Open Total 0 1 3 1 1 0 0 6 This pattern is sharply down from 2009, a year in which CPB received 16 complaints. The year prior, CPB received 20 complaints. Complaint forms arrived during two months, March and August. Although few completed complaint forms were received, many more phone calls came in throughout the year. The majority of these calls resulted in the mailing or delivery of complaint forms, most of which were not completed and returned. With all contact, staff offered assistance with completing the form. In five cases, staff spoke with potential complainants multiple times before the caller finally chose not to file an official complaint. When staff was able to reach callers for follow -up, they offered the following reasons for failing to file a complaint: fear of retaliation from police officers, concern that CPB's powers were too limited in scope, belief that CPB was aligned with IPD and would not offer a fair investigation, intent to consult with a lawyer for possible legal action, and lessening of the strong feelings that prompted their initial contact with CPB. Several people submitted applications to become regular CPB commissioners, but no appointments were made during 2010. Outreach efforts to encourage Youth Commissioner applicants resulted in meetings with interested youth and their adults to discuss the duties and responsibilities of the position. At year end, the Youth Commissioner spot remained unfilled. 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 (Juneteenth tabling was added to the CPB calendar for 2011), business cards, and new stationery. CPB moved into its new office in the renovated GIAC building at 301 West Court Street. Executive assistant of many years, Nancy Falconer, resigned in March. Delia Herden was hired to take her place. "An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." 0