Public Safety Commission

Chairperson Dan Smoker Vice Chair Kerstin Keough Public Safety Commission Jose Guerrero Meeting Minutes - Final Nate Marsh Janet Peterson Carl Smith Steve Thayer Mike Wells Chrissy Williams Thursday, July 2, 2020 3:00 PM Castle Rock Police Department 100 Perry Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 This meeting is open to the public. Please note that all times indicated on the agenda are approximate and interested parties are encouraged to be present earlier than the posted time. The Public Safety Commission meets monthly at the Town of Castle Rock Fire & Rescue Headquarters or Police Department. Call to Order and Attendance Former Chairperson Petersen called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present 9 - Janet Peterson, Vice Chair Kerstin Keough, Chairperson Dan Smoker, Chrissy Williams, Jose Guerrero, Nate Marsh, Carl Smith, Steve Thayer, and Mike Wells Attendance 3 - Jack Cauley, Norris Croom, and Becky Hernandez Approval of Meeting Minutes Mr. Thayer moved to approve the June, 4, 2020 minutes. Ms. Keough seconded the motion; the motion carried. PS 2020-017 Public Safety Commission meeting minutes - June 4, 2020 Attachments: PSC June 4, 2020 minutes Fire Department Report PS 2020-018 CRFD May Report Attachments: CRFD May Report · Chief Croom asked if there were questions on the department's monthly report for May. There were no questions. o Fire conditions discussed. § Town of Castle Rock is now in Stage 2 fire restrictions. § All fireworks shows were canceled in Douglas County. · A fireworks show may occur on July 24 (at the Quarry). § Fireworks are also not allowed due to the poor conditions. § Various fires in local jurisdictions discussed, including the Highlands Ranch Fire. · The fire spread from ¼ of an acre to 460 acres Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 2, 2020 (down power line). o COVID-19 § One or two calls per week suspected of COVID-19 symptoms. o Questions for Chief Croom: § If we receive a lot of rain, do we go back down to Stage 1 or lift the restriction altogether? If significant moisture is received, we do have the option to go back. § Any new updates from last month’s budget prioritizations for 2020-2021? · April sales tax reported approximately an 8 percent decrease. · Awaiting May’s report from the Town Manager’s office. · The direction is we may fill our current vacancies; however, most positions are still on hold. § When will the Town Star be turned off? Originally, the intent was to turn out the lights on July 4 (following the fireworks show); however, Town Council approved the Star to be lit until the end of the Douglas County Fair. Police Department Report PS 2020-019 CRPD May Report Attachments: CRPD May Report · Chief Cauley discussed the Police Department’s May monthly report. o National Night Out § The August event was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns as 3,000 are usually in attendance and difficult to mitigate at this time. § There is a slight chance it could be held in October. o Pro-Police Rally - Saturday, June 27. § The rally proved to be a great event where the community came together to support the police department. o Police reform Senate Bill 20-217 (signed and effective on June 19, 2020). § This is a very complex bill with CRPD currently in compliance with most items in the bill. · The duty to intervene was discussed with all the complexities it entails (criminally charged, sued, etc.). § Data collection (demographics) requirement - discussion. · Officers must collect information on every individual they have contact with (enforcement, investigative). · There are many unanswered questions. § The department is working alongside the Town’s great legal Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 2, 2020 team. o Chief distributed the Where We Stand pamphlet. § Explains the department’s stance on current police environment and more. · Town is recognized as one of the safest places to live in Colorado. · Highlights our one-by-one policing philosophy. · Culture of department discussed; we want the community to know the importance of a good culture. · Survey results highlighted (approachability, confidence, and trust). · Use of technology within the department. · De-escalation techniques in use. · Treating the public with dignity and respect (we treat our staff members with dignity and respect first, which then carries forward). · Discussion on the level of perfection placed on police officers. We are determined to be proactive, educate, and protect our community and officers. If we make a mistake, we need to raise our hand and admit we made a mistake. · Change in culture throughout nation’s law enforcement discussed. o Public Information Officer (Sr. Media Specialist) - current vacancy § Finalizing the hiring of this vacancy (approved by Town Manager). o Questions/comments for Chief Cauley: § Is there a budget impact for the police department because of the new state law requirements? We do anticipate increased costs due to requirements for upgrading or additional software in order to be in compliance. Also, there are expected costs for enhancements on our current body-worn cameras. § Commissioner Smoker stated his appreciation for Chief Cauley and his leadership (past and present). § Have there been any calls for service changes due to the different vibe of current conditions? No, and our activity is back to normal (from the decrease experienced during the early months of COVID-19). Nothing seen as experienced on the national level. § Where is the location of the Where We Stand brochure? Chief Cauley informed the commissioners of its location on the Town’s Police website: CRgov.com/Police under About Police. There are also printed copies to handout. § Aside from SB 20-217, are we seeing any defunding at the state level? CRPD does not receive much in the way of state funding and does not expect an impact. § Any challenges with pulling school officers out of the schools? Chief Cauley believes this is a bad idea and has Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 2, 2020 not heard any mention of this happening in Douglas County. Our School Resource Officers (SRO) and School Marshal Officers (SMO) do a fantastic job in our schools. They work immediately within the tips received and are able to prevent issues from happening/escalating. § Are car thefts still increasing? Yes, this is still an issue within Castle Rock. Our hope is when the PIO is on board, we can push the one-by-one policing video. PS 2020-020 Fire & Police Pension Association (FPPA) presentation o Fire Police Pension Association (FPPA) Statewide Defined Benefit plan § More than 200 law enforcement agencies are currently in the plan. § Due to a recent change in law, our police officers are now allowed to join FPPA. § The department will recommend allowing eligible officers to join this pension choice (2021 budgeting process). § It is the individual choice of the officers to remain with the current ICMA-RC plan or move to the FPPA plan. New Business · New chair and vice chair nominations - discussion. o Former Chairperson Peterson nominated Dan Smoker for chairperson. Ms. Keough seconded. All were in favor. o Former Chairperson Peterson nominated Kerstin Keough for vice-chairperson. Mr. Smoker seconded. All were in favor. Old Business · N/A Commissioner Comments and Questions · Mr. Smith wished to comment about a recent incident he and his wife observed. The officers were calm, professional, and did an excellent job during the 30-45 minute event. The officers walked to the house from a distance (without lights and sirens blazing). Chief Cauley stated this is where de-escalation starts to attempt to keep everything calm from the beginning. We send these types of comments to our officers; the kind comments mean a lot to them. · The Town’s Your Town Academy is moving forward this year. · Commissioner Smith requests a future presentation on policies (e.g. police department’s use of force, fire department’s chemical restraint protocol, and departments’ training). Chief Cauley will plan this for a future meeting toward the end of the year due to changes expected in September. Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 2, 2020 Adjourn Former Chairperson Petersen adjourned the meeting. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m.