The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1998 CPB Annual Reportlt 'Police- Board Report of Activities and Summary of Complaints and Commendations April 1998 - January 1999 Office Activity: May 1998 to present The Community Police Board office, located in GIAC, officially opened in May 1998. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Following is a summary of office activity since opening: Incoming Phone Calls: Additional wiring work was necessary before we could use our answering machine, and this was finally accomplished in October. Prior to that time telephone access to the office was limited to office hours. Consequently the number of recorded phone contacts at this time is small. It is expected that phone contact will increase as the CPB implements plans for increased community outreach and now that people can leave messages on the answering machine when the office is not staffed. ■ 5 - phone calls from public regarding following: ■ Information on how to see a police report ■ Request for complaint form ■ Information on CPB and Board positions ■ Follow -up on complaint Drop -Ins: Citizens have stopped by the office for information on specific areas of concern as well as for general information: ■ 1 - How to respond to a traffic ticket if want to plead not - guilty ■ 2 - Get complaint form to file a complaint ■ 2 - Drop off complaint form ■ 4 - General questions about the CPB and "What's this office do ?" ■ 3 - GIAC staff stopping by to see office ■ 5 - Commissioners stopping by to say hello ■ 20 - People asking questions about other activities/ meetings at GIAC ■ 4 - Use phone to call for ride home In -Office Meetings: The CPB office provides a comfortable and accessible location for meetings between staff and Commissioners as well as meetings with complainants. ■ 12 - Meetings between staff, Commissioners and /or Council Liaison ■ 4 - Meetings with complainants Outreach and Public Relations: The Community Police Board celebrated the opening of its new office with an Open House in June 1998. Approximately 40 people from the community attended the event, which received coverage in the Ithaca Journal. In August 1998 the Community Police Board participated in a Neighborhood Mixer sponsored by the Tompkins County Human Services departments and held at their - 2 new building on West State Street. The CPB set up an informational table, distributing literature about the CPB and talking informally with community members. The Community Police Board holds regular monthly meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room at City Hall. Meetings are publicized in the Ithaca Journal and are open to the public. Other articles and announcements are periodically placed in the Ithaca Journal. Plans for 1999 include monthly publication in the Ithaca Journal listing commendations of police officers; participation in other community events similar to last August's neighborhood mixer, and holding public forums about the Community Police Board and other areas of relevance to community /police relations. Summary of Complaints and Findings One important function of the Community Police Board is listening to community concerns and investigating citizen complaints against police officers. In this capacity, the Board acts as an objective "ear" for the community and as a liaison between the community and Police Department. The table below summarizes the formal complaints filed with the Community Police Board for 1997 and through September 30, 1998. Complaints have ranged from procedural questions to allegations of rudeness and insensitivity, improper conduct, disagreement with police action, and harassment and brutality. While such allegations are serious, it is important to note that following Community Police Board investigation, it has been decided that not all of these allegations are founded. On the other hand, it is important that citizens know they have a place to turn when they have a concern or complaint with the Police. Certainly some citizens go directly to the Police Department to make their complaint and look for resolution. But many citizens are more comfortable going to a neutral location and having their complaint investigated by someone who is seen as more objective. Moving the Community Police Board operations out of the Police Department and into our own office at a community center was a crucial move for just this reason. The statistics bear this out. In the first four months of 1998, prior to opening the GIAC -based office, the Community Police Board received three complaints, one of which was withdrawn by the complainant. In the subsequent eight months of the office's operation, an additional nine complaints were received. Seven of these are still under investigation; one was discovered to be unfounded; one was split with one of the complainant's concerns discovered to be unfounded and a second founded; two were discovered to be founded; and one was withdrawn by the complainant due to fear of retaliation. This clearly indicates a greater comfort level in the community for taking a complaint against the Police to a location other than the Police Department. Total Complaints Currently Open Founded Unfounded Withdrew Other Disposition 1998 Total 16 7 2.5* 2.5* 2 1, Dismissed, Not filed in timely fashion 1 /1- 4/30/98 3 0 0 1 I 5/1- 9/30/98 1 9 7 2.5 1.5 1 1, Referred to Chief 1997 Total 11 0 4 2 3 to discuss with officer 1, Memo to officers by acting Chief *One complaint received in 1998 had two components. The Community Police Board found that one of these was founded while the other was not; consequently the .5 added to Founded and .5 added to Unfounded in the table above. Incident Clarifications Handled by IPD In order to better track all complaints and issues brought by the community regarding the IPD, the Community Police Board asked Chief Basile to institute a tracking system of incidents handled internally by the department. The Chief developed an "Incident Clarification Sheet" to be used by himself, the Deputy Chief, and supervisors to keep the requested statistics. Implementation will begin in January 1999. Commendations and Recognition of Officers The Community Police Board also tracks letters of recognition for police action received by the public as well as commendations issued by the Chief. Unfortunately, prior to the opening of our office in May, we did not keep records of these letters and commendations, and the Chief's office does not have summary information. Therefore, statistics are presented here only for April through December 1998. From April through December 1998, 28 letters were received by Chief Basile from the public, human service and community organizations, businesses, city and county prosecutors, and other law enforcement departments. Letters thanked the IPD, and in particular specific officers, for their help and service. In addition, two internal memos were issued recognizing officers for exemplary work. Comments ranged from noting officers' professionalism, kindness and understanding, efficiency, communication skills, support and suggestions, courage, ability to handle potentially dangerous situations, maintaining safety of all involved, aggressive and outstanding police work, excellent people skills, quick response, service above and beyond the call of duty, respect, sensitivity and attention to victims, good judgement, follow - through, thoroughness, negotiating skills, teamwork, and effective presentation in a training session. The Community Police Board appreciates the hard work and efforts of our police department, and wishes to recognize officers who do laudable work. Letters will be sent to all officers who have been recognized by letters and commendations received, and beginning in 1999, monthly reports of such action will be sent to the Ithaca Journal. Following is a summary of letters received to date. ■ 4 - Letters from individual citizens ■ 1 - Letter from business (K -Mart) ■ 1 - Letter from community organization (Coalition for Community Unity) ■ 17 - Letters from human/social service agencies (Mental Health (15), EOC, Challenge Industries) ■ 5 - Letters from other law enforcement departments (NY State Police, PA State Police, Cayuga Heights Police, Ithaca City Prosecutor, Tompkins County District Attorney)