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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/02/197100 FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING March 2, 1971 A meeting of the Fort Collins Commission on Human Relations was held at 225 Second Street, Fort Collins, Colorado, Tuesday, March 2, 1971, at 7:30 p.m. Present: Dr. Parker Preble Mr. John Moore Mr. Luke Long Mr. John Bustos Mrs. Walter Atherly Mr. Jessie Godinez Mrs. Anthony Jiron Mr. Penfield Tate Mr. Ralph Braden Absent: Mr. Gerald Templer Mr. Earl Kiely Mr. David James Mr. Dean Olson Dr. James W. Baird Also: Rev. Keith Spahr Mr. Ernest Miranda Mr. John Miranda Miss Sadie LeJeune Miss Frances Casteneda Mr. Carl Walters - Coloradoan Members of the League of Women Voters The meeting was called to order by the President and Reverend Spahr was asked to report on the Fort Collins team working in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain National Institute on Community relations and the Ad- ministration of Justice. Following is a copy of the report. "PRELIMINARY REPORT TO THE FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL: FROM: THE FORT COLLINS TEAM WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE SPONSORED BY: OFFICE OF CONFERENCE AND INSTITUTES, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CRISTIANS AND JEWS. PROPOSE OF THE INSTITUTE: To give opportunity to selected team members from various communities across the state of Colorado to work together for a concentrated period of three days to identify problems in their communities, particularly r N 00 Human Relations Commission Commission Meeting March 2, 1971 Page 2 in the area of Police -Community Relations, to study the problems and their causes and to suggest possible solu- tions to the problems, and to pursue the solution of the identified problems. TEAM PERSONNEL: Mr. Ren Anderson, Mr. Michael Ditullio, Mrs. Lupe Giron, Mr. Rick G. Jaramillo, Mr. Patrick Kelly, Mr. David Maestas, Mr. Santiago Jose Martiniz, Mr. Valerio E. Miranda, Mr. Lee Ortiz, Mr. Ralph M. Smith, Rev. Keith W. Spahr, Mrs. Frances Thompson. REPORT: Following the identification of various problems in the area of Police -Community Relations, discussion of same and possible solutions the following recommendations are made: 1.) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPLAINT PROCEEDURE FOR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT AND SERVICES a. Make available the printed complaint forms at various community centers. b. Provide instruction class for various community leaders so they can be of assistance to others in the filling out and filing of the complaint form. c. Establish a time limit, perhaps thirty days, within which complaint must be filed. d. Four copies of a complaint to be made. (One copy going to the party making complaint, one copy to person against whom complaint is lodged, one copy to the appropriate department head, one copy to the Human Relations Commission. 2.) STRENGTHEN AND MAKE EFFECTIVE THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION a. Charge the Commission to act as an Appeal Board for written complaints. b. Appoint a Police Officer and a City Councilman to serve on the Commission. c. Establish subpoena power for the Commission. d. Provide the Commission with a paid Executive Director. e. Charge the Commission with the responsibility of in- suring that adequate action is taken and proper dis- posal made of each complaint, and all complaintants officially notified of disposition. 3.) PUBLICATION OF CHANGES IN POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICES AND PROCEDURES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AS A RESULT OF THE POMEROY REPORT. N 00 Human Relations Commission Commission Meeting March 2, 1971 Page 3 4.) PUBLICATION OF A COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORY WITH CON- TACT PERSONNEL, ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS. 5.) HIRE A FULL TIME POLICE -COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER. 6.) PROVIDE MORE ADEQUATE HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY RE- LATIONS TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS. 7.) ESTABLISH WRITTEN GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA FOR GRANTING OF "PR" BONDS. S.) PURSUE DILIGENTLY THE RECUITMENT OF MORE MINORITY GROUP POLICE OFFICERS. 9.) ENCOURAGE POLICE OFFICERS AND PROVIDE FUNDS TO ENABLE OF- FICERS TO ATTEND CLASSES IN MEXICAN HISTORY, AND CULTURE AND LANGUAGE CLASSES." Ernie Miranda suggested that the Commission seek funds from some source to pay a group from Denver called "Consultantes De Atzlan" to speak to us on Better Community Relations. This group grew out of the Crusade for Justice and is highly recommended for its efforts in this field. A complaint against the Police Department charging violations of constitutional rights presented by Ernie Miranda for John Miranda, Miss Sadie LeJeune and Miss Frances Casteneda was heard by the Commission. After discussion, the complaint was turned over to the Greivance and Investigation Committee for immediate ivestigation and they were ins- tructed to report their findings to the Commission at a special meeting to be held Thursday, March 11, 1971 at 7:30 p.m. at 225 Second Street. A letter was read from Penfield Tate stating that a student had complained to him that he had been fired from his part-time job at Murray's Furniture Company due to his long hair. The letter was given to the Grievance and Investigation Committee for investigation. The Chairman asked for election of officers for 1971. Penfield Tate made a motion to recind the motion made in October, 1970, to wait until the Commission was at full strength to elect officers so that the election could be held. Motion seconded by John Moore. Motion carried. The following officers were elected: President Mrs. Walter Atherly Vice-president Mr. John Moore Secretary Mr. Gerald Templer N 00 Human Relations Commission Commission Meeting March 2, 1971 Page 4 A sub -committee consisting of the following: Mr. Luke Long, Dr. Parker Preble and Mrs. Anthonly Jiron wa appointed to work with a sub- committee from the CSU Human Relations Commitee setting up a News Media Seminar for Northern Colorado in the near future. The Human Relations Commission would like to sponsor a Human Re- lations Course on Human Awareness for the Fort Collins Police Depart- ment. The Chairman will check with Police Chief Ralph Smith on the possibility of such a course to be taught by Mr. Penfield Tate and Dr. Abel Amaya. Some members explained that it was very difficult to attend meet- ing on the first Tuesday evening. After some discussion the regular meeting time of the Commission was changed to the first Thursday evening of each month pending the approval of the City Council. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Walter Atherly Secretary