Citizen Police Advisory Committee

CITIZEN POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES November 19, 2013 7:00 p.m. The Citizen Police Advisory Committee met in regular session on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, New Mexico, 87401. Members Present: Deb Dumont, Chairman; Chuck Culpepper, Patricia Simpson, and Lisa Martin Members Absent: Rose Maez, Steve Grey City Personnel Present: Kyle Westall, Police Chief Keith McPheeters, Deputy Chief Vince Mitchell, Deputy Chief Taft Tracy, Internal Affairs Lieutenant Casey Malone, Internal Affairs Sergeant Jason Eley, Assistant City Attorney Kim Parrish, Administrative Assistant I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Deb Dumont at 7:00 p.m., and there being a quorum of members present, the following proceedings were duly had and taken. II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Chuck Culpepper moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of September 17, 2013, January 19, 2010, May 11, 2010, and July 20, 2010 as presented. Patricia Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. III. CHIEF’S REPORT, CHIEF KYLE WESTALL Chief Westall reported on the recruiting numbers, stating that there are 12 cadets in the academy right now. The Animal Control Officers/Park Rangers are also in the process of moving over to the Police Department, with final vote going to Council on December 10, 2013. The Police Department is in the process of getting better equipment for them. Calls for service are slightly down from last year, which could go along with the slow economy. The Police Department received two new dogs this month, which will be in training with their handlers for about 4 weeks. Chief Westall discussed a recent DV homicide case that was particularly traumatic. He also discussed the annexation discussions that have gone before Council, and how that could affect the Police Department. Chief Westall stated that this would be his last CPAC meeting. He introduced the two Deputy Chiefs to the Board. Lisa Martin asked if they had gotten pushback about the move of the Animal Control Officers. Chief Westall explained that they have actually experienced the opposite. Most of the Animal Park Rangers and the public realize that this will be a good move. IV. INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT, SGT. CASEY MALONE Sgt. Casey Malone gave an overview of the September and October Internal Affairs reports. He stated that citizen complaints/investigations have increased about 22% over last year. Lt. Tracy explained more specifically that alleged Biased-based Profiling complaints seem to have increased over previous years. Deputy Chief McPheeters mentioned that notices of tort have also increased. Deb Dumont asked about the May 24, 2013 “Use of Force” allegation that was sustained. Sgt. Malone explained that the use of force wasn’t necessarily excessive, but it wasn’t how the officer was trained to handle the situation. V. TRAINING – CASE REVIEW Lt. Taft Tracy gave a review of the March 22, 2013 Officer-Involved Shooting. He also showed the in-car cameras of the event. He said that the State Police and Internal Affairs both conducted an investigation. He discussed the witness interviews and the interviews with the officers. Internal Affairs came to the conclusion that the officers acted within the policies and procedures of the Police Department. Deb Dumont asked how collateral damage was evaluated, and if they were aware of the public’s perception that stray bullets could have injured a bystander. Chief Westall stated that they are very aware of that perception. They immediately question their training techniques and how they can improve in these types of situations. But he also stated that the Police Department has a much higher hit rate than the national average, and one of the most progressive hands-on training programs in the nation. VI. OLD BUSINESS None. VII. NEW BUSINESS a. MEMBERS – None. b. CITIZEN INPUT – None. c. CASE REVIEW – Chuck Culpepper discussed the complaint filed by Daifiance Hilliard. Mr. Hilliard violated a restraining order, and his main complaint was that he wasn’t contacted before he was arrested. Chief Westall discussed Mr. Hilliard’s long, ongoing history with the PD and other City employees. He has been trespassed from all City facilities. Lt. Tracy went to a hearing for Mr. Hilliard’s competency, and the judge agreed that Mr. Hilliard would be a threat to any community regardless of his location, and decided to keep him in jail until they hear from the mental health professionals. So Chuck Culpepper moved to agree with the IA findings. Patricia Simpson seconded. Motion carried. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee, and, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ ______________________________ Deb Dumont, Chairman Kimberly Parrish, Secretary