Citizen Police Advisory Committee

CITIZEN POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES March 17, 2015 7:00 p.m. The Citizen Police Advisory Committee met in regular session on Tuesday, March 17, 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; Chuck Culpepper; Patricia Simpson; David Bratcher Members Absent: Steve Grey; Rose Maez; Lisa Martin City Personnel Present: Steve Hebbe, Police Chief Lt. Casey Malone, Internal Affairs Sgt. Pat Flores, Internal Affairs 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 meeting of January 20, 2015 as presented. Patricia Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. III. CHIEF’S REPORT Chief Hebbe stated that there is another academy starting in April, and after that academy they will almost back up to full staff. The CALEA Accreditation onsite process will also be happening April 13-16. They are also promoting several officers to fill some of the vacancies. He mentioned that he met with Elsa Lopez from the Hispanic group who had attended the last couple of meetings. He said they had a good discussion, and we want them to feel comfortable calling the police when they have a problem. Deb Dumont asked what some of their comments were. Chief Hebbe said they were objecting to routine traffic stops for minor violations, which then results in the officer asking for documentation and contacting immigration. He said they are working on several different things to get out in the community and boost morale. IV. INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT Sgt. Pat Flores gave an overview of the January and February Internal Affairs reports. He stated that they have added a third person to the Internal Affairs department, which has helped them keep up with tasks. He said we’re already up to 27 complaints so far this year, with people responding to some of the new avenues available to file a complaint. He stated that the complaints are all varied, and nothing seems to stick out as abnormal or recurring. He did mention that taser deployments increased in February due to more unarmed attacks on officers. They are always looking at how to improve policies and training in certain areas like this. He also said that he has completed the 2014 statistical data which he will send out in the next few days, and report on that at the next meeting. V. NEW BUSINESS a. MEMBERS – None. b. CITIZEN INPUT – None. VI. CLOSED MEETING David Bratcher made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Chuck Culpepper, to discuss 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 Chuck Culpepper to open the meeting for further business. Patricia Simpson seconded the motion, and upon voice vote the motion carried unanimously. 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