HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 CPB 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withdrawn.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Withdrawn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. Della Herden
was hired to take her place.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification:' C,..