Public Safety Commission

Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 1, 2024 3:00 PM Castle Rock Municipal Courtroom 100 Perry St., 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. Call to Order and Attendance Chairperson Marsh called the meeting to order at 2:59 p.m. GUESTS - Officer Moorhead - Police Present 7 - Andy Powell, Don MacBrayne, Richard Morton, Steve Thayer, Debra Beck, Laurie Van Court, and Chairperson Nate Marsh Not Present 2 - Vice Chair Clark Hammelman, and Carl Smith Attendance 3 - Rich Martin, Sam Varela, and Deborah Stanley Approval of Meeting Minutes PS 2024-006 Public Safety Commission meeting minutes - Jan. 4, 2024 Attachments: Public Safety Commission meeting minutes - Jan. 4, 2024 Mr. Thayer moved to approve the January 4, 2024 minutes. Mr. Morton seconded the motion; the motion carried. Yes: 7 - Powell, MacBrayne, Morton, Thayer, Beck, Van Court, and Chairperson Marsh Not Present: 2 - Vice Chair Hammelman, and Smith Fire Department Report PS 2024-007 CRFD December Report Attachments: CRFD December Report · Commission members were emailed a copy of the Fire Department’s December report prior to today’s meeting. · Chief Croom is attending meetings in Washington DC. · The department’s Strategic Plan has been updated. · Will be presented to Council February 20. · The existing plan had six recommendations. Four have been completed, one is in process and one is on hold due to budget restraints. Brief discussion on priorities and challenges with funding sources. · Commission members voiced their interest in reviewing the Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes February 1, 2024 Strategic Plan. Chief Martin stated that the Strategic Plan is available to view at the Fire Department and that he would be willing to answer questions. · Chief Martin asked Commission members for their recommendation to Council. · Chairperson Marsh made a motion to recommend the Strategic Plan to Council. All were in favor. · The new medic unit has been delivered. It is currently getting outfitted and will be in service the beginning of March. · The Shift Training Officers (STO’s) went online January 24. · The STO program is modeled after South Metro Fire’s program. · The STO’s will respond to all major calls to ensure incident safety. · The department has received five responses to its RFP (Requests for Bid) proposal for the Station 156 Owners Representative. · Several Commission members complimented the Fire Department on its annual Awards Banquet held last month. Suggested was made on alternates for award acceptance. Police Department Report PS 2024-008 CRPD December Report Attachments: CRPD December Report · Commission members were emailed a copy of the Police Department’s December report prior to today’s meeting. · Commander Varela spoke briefly about the Courtroom’s remodel. A commission member voiced concern for the utility box just outside the Courtroom. Brief discussion ensued. · The department is now fully staffed. There are seven officers in field training that will be online in March. Two additional officers are in the Academy and will be online in July. · Commander Varela was asked if the SRO’s (School Resource Officers) receive additional training. Yes, the SRO’s do receive additional training and they are required to complete additional active shooter training, in-house, every summer. · Their salaries are paid by Douglas County but the STO’s are sworn officers with the Town of Castle Rock. · Officer Moorhead gave a presentation on the ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement) program. · The ABLE program is designed to prepare officers to successfully intervene to prevent harm and to create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention. · The goal of the ABLE program is to create a police culture in which officers routinely intervene to prevent misconduct, mistakes and to support health and wellness. Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes February 1, 2024 · The department’s program is proactive, offering psychological, fitness, peer support and yoga classes and programs. · The ABLE program is an eight-hour course that all members of the department are required to attend. In addition, there is a refresher course every two years. · Did the department need to reduce other training hours to include the ABLE program? No, the department provides more than the minimum training required by the state. Does this help with recruiting? Yes, it is a factor in why candidates apply with Castle Rock. · With retention rates high, Commander Varela was asked if there were any issues with the lack of promotion opportunities. Commander Varela stated that staff members have many opportunities to develop different skill sets and earn certifications. In addition, the department has a Master Police Officer program which provides participants greater responsibility within the department. These members are eligible for stipends. The Fire Department has a similar stipend program for its members - Deputy Chief Martin. New Business · Request made to review the by-laws at the March meeting. By-laws will be emailed to members prior to the March meeting. Old Business · n/a Adjourn Mr. Thayer made a motion to adjourn the meeting; all were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. The next Public Safety Commission meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2024.