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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 . " P 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. "