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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizen Review Board - Minutes - 02/08/2006I)ORKUNAL Citizen Review Board Meeting 300 Laporte Avenue February 8, 2006 Present: Dennis Baker, Brian Carroll, Harry Edwards, Dave Evans, Charles Greeb, and Maria Martinez Absent: none Staff: Lt. Jim Broderick, Sgt. David Pearson, Greg Tempel, Assistant City Attorney, and Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder Public: Elaine Boni, HRC Member. The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Dave Evans. Voice Mail: No messages. Minutes: January 18, 2006 Minutes — The board offered several corrections to the minutes. Dennis Baker made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Harry Edwards seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion passed 6-0. Case #2005-13. Maria Martinez made a motion to approve the subcommittee minutes for Case #2005-13. Dave Evans seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion passed 3-0 (Subcommittee members: Edwards, Evans & Martinez.) New Business: Introduction of New Member Charles Greeb. The Board welcomed its newest member. Chief Harrison Annual Meeting Chief Harrison thanked the Board for their service for a very busy past year. He's read all cases and reviewed all findings of the subcommittees. He assured them he listens to their concerns. He's noticed a disturbing trend —suicide or attempt suicide by cop. That trend is growing in Larimer County at an alarming rate with six cases in the last two years. The Chief is meeting with Sheriff Alderden and District Attorney Abrahamson to review the issue(s) related to that phenomena. He asked the Board if they had any questions. Brian Carroll wondered if the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) would change the Internal Affairs process. No. There will be a change in the grievance process as there is no longer a Personnel Board. Major disciplinary grievance cases will be reviewed by the City Manager, his designate or the Court. Dave Evans asked about trends. The Chief asked if the Board had conclusions/recommendations regarding trends that they prepare a separate memorandum. He said officers with issues, officers' rights, and issues with the union would continue. He said Internal Affairs would continue to forward his (Chiefs) response to the subcommittee's findings/recommendations. Greg Tempel cautioned the Board about being careful not to specifically identify police employees in those J memos because of confidential personnel issues. Dave assured them the information would be handled in a global fashion. The Chief expressed concerns about cases on the horizon with racial connotations. In the past, CRB meeting places were selected away from Police Services facilities. With the new Police Building breaking ground on March 30th and its completion 18 months out, the Board may want to consider meeting in the new building. The Board will review the question and make a decision at a later date. With no further comments or questions, Chief Harrison left the meeting. Posting of CRB Meeting Times Brian Carroll requested a change to the meetings times being posted for the regular meeting and subcommittee meetings held immediately thereafter. The Public Calendar shows the CRB meeting from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. He believes that times for the subcommittee meeting should be posted that reflect "after previous meeting" so no false time expectations are set for individuals planning on attending meetings. Chair & Vice Chair Elections Election of the Chair & Vice -Chair will take place at the March 8, 2006 meeting. Change to Bylaws Greg Tempel presented the previously requested change to the Bylaws --Article III, Section 3.1— noting the meeting date of the CRB had been changed to the 2ntl Wednesday of each month by approval of the Board at their January 15th meeting. Harry Edwards made a motion to approve the bylaw change. Maria Martinez seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion passed 6-0. Pending Cases: Case #2006-16 — To be heard by Subcommittee on February 8, 2006. Case #2005-06 — To be heard by Subcommittee on February 8, 2006. Case #2005-10 — The case has been returned to Police Services staff for more work. Lt. Gary Perman is working on his part to meet the February 201h deadline. With the supervisor review and making copies work yet to be done, Dave Pearson asked for Subcommittee preference -- hand delivered when ready or distribute at the March 81h meeting. Subcommittee chair Harry Edwards will remain in contact with Sgt. Pearson, conscious of needed formal extensions, and keeping the complainant apprised of scheduled hearings. Case #2005-15 — Will be delivered to the Subcommittee at the February 8 meeting. Case #2005-17 — Subcommittee names were drawn as follows: 1. Harry Edwards, Chair 4. Charles Greeb (alternate) 2. Brian Carroll 5. Dennis Baker 3. Maria Martinez 6. Dave Evans Case # 2005-18 — Subcommittee names were drawn as follows: 1. Brian Carroll, Chair 4. Charles Greeb (alternate) 2. Dave Evans 5. Dennis Baker 3. Maria Martinez 6. Harry Edwards Old Business: I.A. Investigative Report Format (Further Discussion) —Brian Carroll distributed a document in regard to the Internal Affairs Report Format including a problem statement and two recommendations. Brian thinks the internal affairs reports prepared and reviewed by the subcommittee vary in content, clarity, detail and substance. The variability comes when staff, who doesn't usually prepare the reports, are asked to do so. Brian Carroll made a motion to improve the process of investigation and review, he recommends a subcommittee work with Internal Affairs to review format and prepare a manual that outlines the requirements. He'd like the Subcommittee to meet with Internal Affairs staff (who already have a work plan item to complete such a manual in a March/April 2006 timeframe) prior to the finalization of their work. Harry Edwards seconded the motion. Discussion: Dave asked how many people should be on the subcommittee How would they be selected. It was decided a volunteer body of three would work best. -Brian Carroll, Maria Martinez and Harry Edwards volunteered and selected Brian as the Chair. The subcommittee has a choice of preparing a recommendation or bringing their findings to the full CRB for finalization. Greg Temple noted that any meetings conducted by this committee are considered public, requiring posting and the recording of minutes. The motion passed 6-0. Request for Extensions (Further Discussion) — Brian Carroll distributed a second document in regard to extension advisements/requests. He's noticed an increasing number of requests from Police Services for extensions of the investigatory period. The ordinance established guidelines for timing of investigations. He believes delays in investigation and review are not fair to complainants or subject officers. He asked that the reason for delays are "on the record" and believes delays due to shortage of staff are not good cause. Broderick stated that staffing priorities are a reality in the prioritization of cases and cited the recent officer involved shooting as an example of a situation where cases of lesser priority make require extensions. Jim Broderick says Sgt. Pearson has an exemplary tracking system. Deadlines are noted as well as reasons for delays. Some on the Board wondered if the time guidelines (especially if they are not working) would be a topic to revisit with City Council. Board & Commission Training — Jim Broderick reminded the Board of upcoming Board & Commission Training: Wednesday, February 22, 4:30-7:30 PM, CIC and Wednesday, March 1, 1-4 PM, 215 N. Mason Community Room. Adjournment: Dennis Baker moved to adjourn the meeting. Harry Edwards seconded the motion. There was no discussion and the motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Next Meeting: March 8, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the CIC Room, 300 Laporte Avenue. 4 �-,' -1 Chair c, -� Y,'\ J-c b1 iS , e'�'�-