Citizen Police Advisory Committee

CITIZEN POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES November 17, 2015 6:00 p.m. The Citizen Police Advisory Committee met in regular session on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, New Mexico, 87401. Members Present: Deb Dumont, Chairman; Patricia Simpson; David Bratcher Members Absent: Chuck Culpepper, Steve Grey, Lisa Martin City Personnel Present: Police Chief Steve Hebbe Deputy Police Chief Keith McPheeters Lt. Casey Malone, Internal Affairs Sgt. Baric Crum, Internal Affairs Sgt. Matt Veith, Internal Affairs City Attorney Jennifer Breakell Georgette Allen, PD Community Relations Liaison Kim Parrish, Administrative Assistant I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Deb Dumont at 6:00 p.m., and there being a quorum of members present, the following proceedings were duly had and taken. II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS David Bratcher moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the July 21, 2015 as presented. Patricia Simpson seconded the motion. Motion carried. III. CHIEF’S REPORT Chief Steve Hebbe gave a short overview of the officer-involved shooting that took place at the hospital recently, which is still being investigated by the State. He stated that they are continuing to review their use of force policy. They are working with an outside consultant who is making several suggestions to update their policies. Chief Hebbe mentioned that they have been sending all of their command staff to a one-week FBI course, and sending more of their supervisors through leadership training. He said that they are down about 8 officers at the moment, but they have been getting more lateral recruits, which speaks well of the Police Department’s reputation throughout the state. David Bratcher asked how the PD is dealing with events such as the recent attacks on Paris, and if there has been any heightened security. Chief Hebbe said they are more concerned with events like the mass shootings at schools and theaters that have taken place. So they have been working closely with the schools, the college, and other organizations who may be affected by something like that. IV. INTERNAL AFFAIRS REPORT Sgt. Matt Veith gave overviews of the July, August, September and October Internal Affairs reports. There was a drop in citizen complaints for the majority of these months, compared to last year. Deb Dumont asked about the motor vehicle pursuits, and what criteria they follow before an officer can pursue from a regular traffic stop. Lt. Casey Malone stated that  the majority of pursuits are DWI’s, but in general they only pursue when the other driver poses a serious and immediate threat to the public. V. NEW/OLD BUSINESS a. MEMBERS – Deb Dumont stated that there was a group of people who had planned on coming to the last meeting. But since it was cancelled, there may be a possibility that they will come to a future meeting to give input. b. CITIZEN INPUT – Mark Livingston addressed the board about a recent incident he had with the Police Department. He said he had a vehicle that was being re- possessed, and when he called the police, he felt like they were against him right from the beginning. Then while they were there, they also gave him a ticket for his other vehicle for being parked the wrong way on the street. He said one officer was polite, but he felt like most of them were just trying to be intimidating. Deb Dumont stated the first step for him would be to file a complaint with Internal Affairs, and Lt. Malone said they would get with Mr. Livingston after the meeting to get his information. VI. CLOSED MEETING David Bratcher made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Patricia Simpson to do an IA case review. 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 David Bratcher to open the meeting for further business. Patricia Simpson seconded the motion; motion carried. 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