HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 - Citizen Review Board - Annual ReportCity of Fort Collins
Citizen Review Board
2004 Annual Report
The Citizen Review Board was very busy in 2004. The CRB considered eight
cases, all of which were Use of Force cases. In 2003, the CRB reviewed six
cases.
While the increase was only two cases, it is important to note that three of those
eight cases were Officer -involved shootings which tend to be extremely detailed
and voluminous in nature.
The table below outlines the cases:
Case
Allegation
FCPS Findings
CRB Findings
2003-22
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Findings- Inaccurate
Use of Pepperball
Investigation -Sufficient
2003-24
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Accurate
Arrest
Sufficient
2004-25
Use of Force —
Sustained
Accurate
Excessive Force
Sufficient
2004-01
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Accurate
Officer Shooting
Sufficient
2004-03
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Accurate
Arrest & OC
Sufficient
2004-07
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Accurate
Officer Shooting
Sufficient
2004-09
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Accurate
Officer Shooting
Sufficient
2004-15`
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Concur with
Arrest & OC
Observations
2004-28'
Use of Force —
Exonerated
Concur
Arrest
" CRB findings reflect ordinance change (Oct 2004)
Cases delivered to Board in 2004 but deliberated upon in 2005
Continue liaisons with appropriate Boards and Commissions,
including the Human Relations Commission
At her initiative, Elaine Boni, Human Relations Commission Board Member,
frequently attends Citizen Review Board general meetings and facilitates
communication between the two Boards.
The City Attorney's Office and Police Services communicated regularly with
Elaine Boni throughout the year in order to assist her efforts as it concerned the
H.R.C. Police Subcommittee Task Force on the Police Complaint Process. In
addition, the City Attorney's office prepared a memorandum that summarized the
CRIB ordinance and included a process flow chart.
Pursue training opportunities for all Board members in a variety
of topics
A February general meeting was dedicated to lecture, discussion and hands on
demonstration of Police Services Less -lethal weapons system.
Board member Harry Edwards attended Police Services Citizen Police Academy
(Fall 2004)
Monitor training for new Board members
Board Member Jim Butzek reluctantly resigned from the CRIB in August. Fall
recruitment has resulted in the appointment of Dennis Baker as Jim Butzek's
replacement. New member training/orientation was initiated this month (January
2005).
Miscellaneous
In a collaborative effort CRIB, the City Attorney's Office, and Police Services
recommended a change to CRIB ordinance language that cleared up the
ambiguity associated to the terms "sufficient and accurate" investigation. The
adopted ordinance now makes it clear that the Board is authorized to make
observations and recommendations as it concerns the investigation and the
findings.