HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PCR-1992-08-03 POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS TASK FORCE
CITY HALL,ITHACA,NY 14850
Approved minutes from the Steering Committee meeting held on August 3, 1992(4:30-
5:30 pm).
Present: Coordinator Alvin Nelson,Mayor Ben Nichols,Clay Hamilton,Amy Lewis,
Irene Stein,Sara Shenk,Rick Williams,Gerald Dumay,Jose Montanez,Drew Martin,
John Johnson
Absent: Chief Harlin McEwen(due to unforeseen circumstances)
1. Minutes from the 7/27/92 meeting were reviewed.
a. Corrections were made.
Vote carried,minutes approved.
2. Sara Shenk read the minutes from the Community-Police Board subcommittee.
a. Rick Williams added that he has been absent for the past few meetings,and that
he doesn't agree with all of the statements presented in the minutes(he was not
specific on this point). However,he is particularly concerned with the
subcommittee's views on the independent investigator issue.
b. Irene Stein suggested that maybe the independent investigator should be an
option for those desiring one. She also stated that she objects to the use of a
professional investigator if there is a problem with the perception of the
establishment vs.citizenry,but that a community advocate is a good idea.
c. Sara Shenk stated that she doesn't think that a private investigator would
improve community confidence in the investigations and actions of the
Community-Police Board. The investigations don't suffer from inadequate
attendance of the meetings because they are conducted outside of the monthly
meetings in a timely fashion. The situation that suffers is the community liaison
function of the Board.
d. John Johnson brought up the question of whether or not the community would
have any more confidence in an independent investigator than they do in the
Community-Police Board.
e. Drew Martin expressed the Police Chiefs strong opposition to an independent
investigator. He also added that the PBA is comfortable with the existing
investigations,but continues to be uncomfortable with the feed-back.
f. Amy Lewis suggested training the Community-Police Board commissioners in
investigations.
g. Amy also suggested that community organizations submit names to the Mayor
to be considered for a Community-Police Board position. Sara suggested a
formalized letter be sent out to agencies when there is an opening on the Review
Board explaining the nature of the position and if that agency has any
recommendations.
h. Mayor Nichols recognized that one of the problems with the Community-Police
Board has been consistency and responsibility in attendance of the members.
i. Irene said that the problem isn't that the Board members aren't capable of doing
the work,the problem is the reputation of the Community-Police Board as
being ineffective or people assume that nothing happens in response to their
complaints. If this is a fact,are these reasons that we can respond to? Sara
stated that the Board is taking measures(such as the community advocate
proposal,and the idea of Board members being included in individual,informal
investigations)to address credibility and action within the Community-Police
Board.
j. Clay Hamilton recognized that there are two separate functions being addressed:
(1)The role of the Community-Police Board is to objectively find truth in an
accusation,and(2)an advocate has a bias by the nature of its definition. Which
brings up the question of whether or not the Board should work both halves
simultaneously.
k. Mayor Nichols suggested a"Youth Council"be established to serve as a direct
connection to the Board. This would be in response to the feelings of
inadequate representation and lack of credibility coming from the younger
section of the community.
1. Irene stated that one of the initial problems,specifically that the Community-
Police Board is not independent,needs to be addressed by the subcommittee.
3. Clay Hamilton read the minutes from the newly named"Training Committee for the
Police-Community Relations Task Force."
Vote carried,name approved.
a. Clay noted the helpfulness of the PBA's input at the last subcommittee meeting.
b. Mayor Nichols asked about the willingness for the police officers to welcome
any training. Clay clarified that the training would be conducted in a proactive
manner rather than a reactive labelling,in terms of what is the objective and
how is it structured.
4. Amy Lewis read the minutes from the Police/Community Involvement subcommittee.
a. Amy requested assistance from individuals on the Steering Committee for the
"Field Day"event.
b. Mayor Nichols noted that the mentoring program should be specifically tied to
police involvement for budgetary reasons.
5. Irene Stein stated that the Jury Selection subcommittee did not meet.
6. Drew Martin suggested that more detail be included in the minutes of the Steering
Committee.
Suggestion was noted by the secretary.
7. Conversation continued on the Community-Police Board subject.
a. Drew explained the difference in the two complaints addressed to the Board: (1)
An officer did something wrong,and(2)an officer did something that the
individual didn't like.
b. Sara stated that the Community-Police Board's investigations are in part for the
benefit of the officer to collect information on his/her behavior,and if
necessary,the officer will have some disciplinary action taken against him/her.
The Board does make the recommendation that some sort of action take place,if
appropriate,but does not necessarily specify the action.
c. Al noted the issue of the disciplinary action taken towards the officer be made
public.
d. John suggested that in addition to a letter telling the individual who made the
complaint that some action was taken against the officer,a personal conference
is also effective. However,the confidentiality issue does create a difficult
situation.