Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Board

Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 275 E. Park Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853 December 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL Members Present: Andy Oguntola, Tiffany Davis, Narvell Peterson, Dwight Wilson, Deputy Chief Troy Schulze, Moe Moyer Staff Present: Police Chief Chris Velasquez, Commissioner Al Goldstein, Community Liaison Officer Ed Palmer, and Executive Assistant Judi Gladue. Citizen Bobby Leath opened the meeting in prayer. 2. SPEAKERS Deputy Chief Troy Schulze spoke about the Shop With A Cop event held on December 12 at Walmart. Shop With A Cop has been an annual event since 2012 where children would shop with an officer at Walmart for items they wanted for Christmas, but this year was very different due to COVID-19. This year wish lists were obtained from the children and Lake Wales Police Officer Association members shopped for the gifts and wrapped them. Families then drove by and picked up their gifts along with a meal for the family and hot pizza. This year there were 27 families and 70 children who in total received $1,200.00 in meals and $10,500.00 in gifts. Deputy Chief advised a story about the event would be coming out on Facebook. Tiffany Davis initiated the discussion regarding the location of the next meeting. After discussion, it was agreed that the next meeting should be at the Commission Chambers, and Judi Gladue will looking into the availability of the Chambers for either January 21 or 25. Discussion was held on the possibility of having the February meeting at Lake Ashton. Moe Moyer asked for a follow-up from the November meeting wherein Courtney Fields was displeased with officers who worked a civil service call at her home. Deputy Chief Troy Schulze advised that the service is not a police department function, but our officers responded, and after following up with the officer, the incident was more of perception. However, the officers went over policy. Ed Palmer advised that he spoke with Ms. Fields this morning, and she was happy with how things went. Troy also advised that each concern that was brought up at the November meeting was addressed resolved or still a work in progress. Andy asked Officer Palmer if there were any more complaints, and Officer Palmer advised no. Terry Christian Sr. spoke to the group saying that Lake Wales if full of people with issues and people are afraid to come out because of retaliation. Moe Moyer asked retaliation from who, and Mr. Christian responded the police department. Terry Christian Sr. asked if there is a policy regarding nepotism in the department and in the city. Chief Velasquez responded advising that there is a policy. Additionally, the parties must sign an agreement, and the parties cannot work together, i.e., be in the chain of command. Cheryl Jennings spoke to the group of a complaint of when she was pulled over by an officer and was searched. Officer Ed Palmer and Ms. Jennings went aside, and Officer Palmer took her complaint.  Citizen and Police Community Relations Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 275 E. Park Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853 December 17, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Discussion was held with several committee members of what the committee should be hearing. Andy Oguntola went over the function of the committee and advised the committee does not take or investigate complaints. Sandy Dunn asked if the public could get copies of complaints and investigations. Deputy Chief responded yes, and explained the process. Discussion was held regarding citizen complaints. Andy Oguntola suggested an agenda for the next meeting. 1. Discuss the complaint process and have copies of complaint forms available; 2. Discuss the traffic stop process; 3. Discuss the search process. Andy Oguntola asked Judi Gladue to have these processes on the agenda for the next meeting. Chief Velasquez advised there is a pamphlet as well that will be brought to the next meeting and discussed. Discussion was held of suggestions of how may the committee can make a difference with the community and officers. 3. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned in prayer at 8:08 p.m.