HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitizen Review Board - Minutes - 06/22/2020CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, June 22, 2020
222 N. Mason, Colorado River Community Room
06/22/2020 – MINUTES Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER
Heather Gossel called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Dominique Ramirez, Mark Partridge, Dennis Hanno (arrived 5:12 p.m.), Aaron
Rodriguez, Heather Gossel
Staff Members Present: Lieutenant Kristy Volesky, Jenny Lopez Filkins, Christine
Macrina, Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda, Fort Collins Police Deputy Chief Greg
Yeager, Assistant Chief (Community and Special Services Division) Tim Doran, John
Feyen Assistant Chief (Patrol Division), Lieutenant Adam McCambridge (Criminal
Investigation Division), Rena Martinez Information Services Director.
3. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
• None
4. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
• None
5. OTHER BUSINESS
Heather Gossel introduced Police Chief Jeff Swoboda. The Chief relayed that he hoped
to use the meeting to check in and get to know the Citizen Review Board, hear their
perspectives about the national conversation related to policing and answer any
questions the board members may have.
Heather Gossel asked the Citizen Review Board to introduce themselves,
conducted in a round robin style.
An informal discussion followed.
Highlights from CRB members’ input included:
1) It would be beneficial if the CRB could suggest changes to FCPS policy.
2) Praise for FCPS generally and encouragement to keep school resources officers in
PSD schools.
CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING – June 22, 2020
01/08/2020 – MINUTES Page 2
3) Concern that community members believe FCPS officers are violent, primarily
toward racial minorities; that de-escalation tactics are not considered, the CRB doesn’t
have the authority it should have, officers are turning off body cameras when they
shouldn’t be; FCPS discriminates against its minority officers; and there is only one co-
responder who is not available when she should be.
4) Will school resource officers remain in PSD schools?
5) It would be helpful to FCPS and members of the public if FCPS shared more publicly
about its initiatives. Encouraged FCPS to focus on hiring and retaining talent that
makes positive difference. Encouraged FCPS to focus on mental health concerns in the
community.
Highlights from Chief Swoboda and FCPS executive staff included:
1) FCPS has taken action to root out unfairness in the agency. Appropriate employees
subjected to appropriate discipline.
2) FCPS partners with UCHealth to provide co-responder and it’s been challenging to
hire for the position. The co-responder is unwilling to respond to calls without an armed
peace officer in attendance.
3) FCPS did a cultural assessment after the lawsuit settled with Hispanic officers and
has made changes recommended in the cultural assessment. “Character Counts” put
into place. Use Character Counts (6 skills) for positive outcomes in curriculum.
4) All FCPS staff required to participate in diversity and implicit bias training. City
recently launched an employee resource group for employees who are people of color.
5) FCPS now employs 17 certified trainers and provides officers training regarding “Fair
and Impartial Policing”.
6) The Poudre School District Board has the authority and will decide whether to allow
school resource officers to continue to operate in PSD schools. Chief Swoboda will
recommend that the SRO officers stay in place.
7) FCPS routinely provides and requires all peace officers to participate in less lethal
force and de-escalation tactics training.
The Citizen Review Board would like to make more of an impact.
Chief Swoboda shared a couple of initial thoughts, the following are not definitive:
CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING – June 22, 2020
01/08/2020 – MINUTES Page 3
Include the board as part of the hiring or interview process.
Utilize the board for community input.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.