HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Police Board By-Laws CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I . NAME
This board shall be known as the City of Ithaca Community Police
Board.
ARTICLE II . PURPOSES
( from City of Ithaca Charter section C-16,
paragraphs B. C. and E. )
II A. "The Community Police Board may recommend rules, bylaws
and regulations for the government of the Police Department of
the City, not inconsistent with the laws of thie state, which may
be promulgated through the Chief of Police to the whole force.
The Chief of Police shall have the immediate direction and
control of the police in the administration of the rules, bylaws
and regulations of the Department. "
II B. "The Community Police Board shall act as community liaison
to the Police Department and shall actively foster positive
communications between police and all segments of the community.
It shall make provisions for resolving complaints by the
citizenry related to the delivery of police services. Using
established_ procedures, the Board may recommend action against
any member of the Police Department. It shall make
recommendations, on its own initiative or at the request of the
Mayor, the Common Council or the Police Chief, on any matter
affecting the policy or performance of the Police Department,
Including financing and budget. " All Board members shall
ride/walk along with officers at least once a year; more frequent
accompaniments are encouraged.
II C. "The Board shall give written annual reports to the Mayor
and Common Council regarding its activities and the changes it
has sought and achieved. "
ARTICLE III . BOARD MEMBER SELECTION AND BOARD COMPOSITION
(from City of Ithaca Charter sec. C-16, paragraph A. )
III A. "The Mayor shall appoint a Community Police Board,
subject to the approval of the Common Council .
III B. "The Commissioners shall be chosen from a range of
culturally and economically diverse community groups with
consideration given to the effect each appointment will have on
the diversity of representation, including geographic
representation, on the Board.
III C. "No elected city official shall be a member of the
Community Police Board.
CPB by-laws p. 2
III D. "The Community Police Board shall consist of seven (7 )
Commissioners .
III E. The term of the office of each Commissioner shall be
three ( 3 ) years, commencing on the first of January.
III F. "No more than three Commissioners shall be appointed in
any one ( 1 ) year . The terms of the existing Commissioners shall
continue unchanged.
III G. "A Commissioner shall hold office until his/her successor
shall have been chosen and qualified . A vacancy for an unexpired
or newly created term shall be filled in the manner set forth in
this Charter, except that the limitation on the number of
appointments per year, the term of office and the term's starting
date shall not apply.
III H. "All Commissioners shall have been a resident of the City
of Ithaca for at least two (2 ) years immediately preceding their
appointment. ( If a Commissioner shall cease residing in the City
of Ithace, they shall notify the mayor and forfeit their position
as Commissioner ) .
III I . All Commissioners shall serve without salary. "
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND MEETINGS
(From City of Ithaca, Charter section C-16,
paragraph D)
IV A. "At its first meeting in January of each year, the members
of the Community Police Board shall organize as a. board by
electing one (1) of its members as Chairperson. In addition, a
vice chairperson will be elected from among the board's members .
IV B. The Chairperson of the Board shall be responsible for
chairing the monthly meetings of the Board, setting the agenda
and delegating tasks The Vice Chairperson shall carry out these
duties in the Chair 's absence, and may share any duties with the
Chairperson as they may mutually agree upon.
IV C. "The Community Police Board shall hold such stated and
special meetings at such time and place as it may determine but
at least once in each month. " Notice of such meetings shall be
given pursuant to the City of Ithaca"s relevant procedures .
IV D. "The Board will function according to its bylaws . "
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ARTICLE V. DECISION-MAKING .
V A. A quorum *hall consist of the majority of the seated board
members .
V B. Decisions will be made by majority vote of the quorum.
V C. To amend these by-laws the board shall consider proposed
changes in writing; these proposals shall have an initial reading
In a formal meeting and further action shall be considered in
subsequent formal meetings.
V. D. The board may change those elements of its bylaws which are
not part of the City Charter by a simple majority vote.
ARTICLE VI . CREATION OF VACANCIES
( from City Charter (4-26.1 A-B)
VI A. "When any member of (the) . . .board. . .holding office by
appointment of the Mayor, fails to attend three ( 3) regularly
scheduled meetings of such—board. . . in any calendar year, unless
such absence is for good cause, the office may be deemed vacant
for purposes of nomination and appointment of a successor."
VI B. "If such member fails to attend three (3) such regularly
scheduled meetings in a calendar year, the Chairperson ( or if
the Chairperson fails to so attend such meetings,, any member of
the. . .board. . . ) shall so inform the member and the Mayor.
The Mayor shall write the member requesting either an explanation
of the reasons for the member 's nonattendance or a letter of
resignation.
VI C. If the member does not respond to the Mayor within twenty
(20) days of the Mayor 's letter to the member, with an adequate
explanation for his or her absences and assurances of ability to
attend future meetings on a regular basis, it shall be deemed
that the office is vacant for purposes of nomination and
appointment of his or her successor .
VI D. If such member responds to the Mayor with an adequate
explanation of the reasons for his or her absences and assurances
of ability to attend future meetings on a regular basis, no
further action will be taken. "