HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-062-04/07/1992-ADOPTING A POLICY AND GIVING DIRECTION REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES TO THE POLICE COMPLAINT P RESOLUTION 92-62
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADOPTING A POLICY AND GIVING DIRECTION
REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES
TO THE POLICE COMPLAINT PROCESS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fort Collins ("The Council ")
identified a need to develop and adopt a policy regarding the handling of
complaints about the provision of police services or the conduct of particular
police employees, and adopted Resolution 91-162 approving a workplan of the
Council Health and Safety Committee ("The Committee") and the Human Relations
Commission ("The Commission") to develop recommendations to Council concerning
policy options; and
WHEREAS, the Committee and the Commission have worked with city staff to
assess community perceptions and to evaluate a number of policy options
concerning the handling of police complaints; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has formulated recommendations to Council based on
the following fundamental commitments: 1) the citizen complaint process should
be improved to address community concerns and perceptions concerning openness and
trust; 2) any changes to the system must be fiscally responsible; and 3) the
legal rights of employees must be protected; and
WHEREAS, any process for the handling of police complaints should include
an elemental degree of citizen empowerment within the process, and the complaint
system must meet certain requirements for legality, fairness, and equity and at
the same time enhance the environment in which the Office of Police Services
carries out its duties; and
WHEREAS, the Committee has submitted a final report and recommendations to
the Council concerning the handling of police complaints, and the Council wishes
to set out a policy and establish priorities for changes and improvements to the
police complaint process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
as follows:
Section 1 . That the Human Relations Commission ("The Commission") is
directed to develop guidelines and criteria for a training plan, a recruitment
and selection process, a process for removal , and defined roles for a citizen
liaison program designed to encourage citizens to utilize the complaint process,
to provide opportunities and assistance to complainants in proceeding through the
process, to work directly within the process with someone in addition to a sworn
officer, and to maximize the number of non-intimidating entry points into the
system.
Section 2. That legislation be prepared to implement changes in the role
of The Commission as follows:
a) That the ability of The Commission to meet directly with a complainant
during any Commission review be affirmed.
b) That a designated subcommittee of The Commission, approved by the City
Manager, shall be authorized to review certain internal investigations conducted
by the Office of Police Services. The internal investigations to be reviewed by
the subcommittee should be those which are initiated by formal citizen complaints
which involve issues such as the use of force, alleged criminal acts, severe
injuries or death resulting from an act or failure to act, discharge of firearms
and breach of a citizen's civil rights. The subcommittee shall be authorized to
review such investigations for accuracy and sufficiency and to discuss its
observations regarding the investigations with the Police Chief before any
decision is made regarding the merits of the citizen complaint.
c) That The Commission, excluding those members appointed to serve on the
aforementioned subcommittee, shall serve as an appeal board for citizens who are
dissatisfied with the Police Chief's decision. The Commission shall have the
authority to forward recommendations to the City Manager concerning the accuracy
and sufficiency of the investigation.
d) That The Commission shall have the authority to appoint liaisons to the
citizen liaison program.
Section 3. That, within legal limitations, information concerning police
complaints, the complaint process, and the citizen liaison program shall be made
available to the public on a continuing basis and at the maximum permissible
level , including a quarterly statistical report and improved informational
material .
Section 4. That the Office of Police Services be commended for and strongly
encouraged to continue improving communications and follow-up in the handling of
complaints as part of an ongoing departmental review of internal processes.
Section 5. That appropriate legislation to implement the outlined changes
to the police complaint process shall be presented for Council 's consideration
on or before July 7, 1992.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort
Collins held this 7th day of April , A.D. 1992.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk