Citizen Police Advisory Committee

CITIZEN POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES January 20, 2015 7:00 p.m. The Citizen Police Advisory Committee met in regular session on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, 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; Lisa Martin; Patricia Simpson; Members Absent: Steve Grey; Chuck Culpepper; Rose Maez City Personnel Present: Steve Hebbe, Police Chief Deputy Chief Keith McPheeters Lt. Daryl Noon, Detective Lt. Casey Malone, Internal Affairs Sgt. Pat Flores, Internal Affairs Jennifer Breakell, City Attorney Kim Parrish, Administrative Assistant Guests Present: Jean Lyle, Interpreter “Families United for Justice” Hispanic Group I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Deb Dumont at 7:02 p.m., and there being a quorum of members present, the following proceedings were duly had and taken. II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Lisa Martin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 18, 2014 as presented. Patricia Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. III. CHIEF’S REPORT Chief Hebbe gave a follow-up regarding the evidence room, stating that they made it bigger to now include weapons, drugs and money. They also installed cameras which are online now. He said that they just started another academy, and continue to hire new officers. CALEA will also be here reviewing files in April for the accreditation process. They can make recommendations to PD on how to improve their department, and how to handle certain situations. IV. INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT Sgt. Pat Flores gave an overview of the November and December Internal Affairs reports. He mentioned that things are moving a little quicker with the implementation of the administrative software, allowing faster turnover for complaints. They are training more and more officers and supervisors to use this system. There were around 94 complaints for 2014, which was a little higher than 2013, partly due to transparency and social media giving people easier access to the Police Department. Also, since there has been a lot of scrutiny from recent events all over the country, more people are voicing their opinions. He said they will also be hiring another Internal Affairs sergeant to help investigate some of the complaints. V. NEW BUSINESS a. MEMBERS – None. b. CITIZEN INPUT – Patrick Cheney addressed the committee regarding an Internal Affairs case he recently submitted to the Police Department. He was charged with embezzlement in July 2014, and feels that the Police Department did an inadequate investigation. He hired an investigation company to do his own investigation because he was not satisfied with how the Police Department did theirs, and he feels that they ruined his reputation. He stated that Internal Affairs would not release their report to him, so he wants CPAC to help make sure their not trying to cover anything up. He doesn’t think that ex-military personnel should be officers unless they have been reintegrated into the civilian system, because he feels they don’t know how to deal with civilians. VI. CLOSED MEETING Lisa Martin made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Patricia Simpson, to discuss IA Case#2014-0055 and other Internal Affairs matters. All voted in favor; motion carried. Following the closed meeting, during which meeting the matters discussed were limited only to those specified in the motion for closure, a motion was made by Patricia Simpson to open the meeting for further business. Lisa Martin seconded the motion, and upon voice vote the motion carried unanimously. Chairperson Dumont stated that three CPAC members evaluated Mr. Olivas’s complaint and determined that they agree with the Internal Affairs finding on each point. She said they do not feel there were any violations of policy. Deb Dumont made a motion to agree with the IA findings in Case #2014-0055. Patricia Simpson seconded. Motion carried. In response to this specific complaint, Chief Hebbe stated that the Police Department has implemented measures to make it easier to submit a complaint to IA, or even talk directly to a sergeant. They now have a stand in the lobby with complaint/commendation forms that can be filled out and submitted right there, or mailed in. The form is also available online. VII. 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