Police Community Advisory Committee

City of MASSACHUSETTS www.cityofmalden.org Gary Christenson, Mayor Police Community Advisory Council Meeting Minutes City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden Conference Room #105 August 21, 2024 7:00 P.M. Members of the Commission may choose to participate in the meeting remotely and members of the public who wish to attend remotely can do so by using the following information: Join Zoom Webinar: https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/91201142348?pwd=kiZTnvI3HVNJdUpLS21QW2pGrqgY6K.1 Passcode: 122521 This meeting will also be recorded through Zoom. MINUTES 1. Roll call of Council Members Kashawna Harling: present, in-person Carey MacDonald: present, in-person Chief Glen Cronin: present, in-person Maria Luise: present, in-person Kevin Graham: present, via zoom Jessica Farrell: present, in-person Brittany Torelli: present, in-person Chloe Cheung: present, in-person Vincent Spartachino: present, in-person Barbara Murphy: absent Kevin Small: absent Jennifer Santos: absent NEW BUSINESS 1. Welcome and Introductions City Councillor Carey MacDonald convened the first meeting of Malden's Police Community Advisory Council, clarifying his role as a facilitator and not a member. The group was tasked with electing a chair for future meetings, emphasizing the meeting being open, public, and recorded for those absent. The attendees introduced themselves and shared their roles and fun facts. The group also planned for future scheduling and onboarding. 2. Police Community Advisory Council (PCAC) Presentation Councilor MacDonald presented the mission and goals of the newly established Police Community Advisory Council (PCAC) to the group. The PCAC's role is to promote public awareness and engagement on police services, activities,  and public safety issues, facilitate open dialogue with the police department, and make recommendations for improvements in areas such as safety, equity, and transparency. Councilor MacDonald emphasized the importance of the PCAC's diverse perspectives, given Malden's diverse population, and encouraged members to provide feedback and engage in outreach to underrepresented communities. The group also discussed the need to review police policies and data and to enhance police-community relations. 3. Police Department's Diversity and Community Engagement Chief Glen Cronin discussed the police department's efforts to become more diverse, highlighting that they now have one of the most diverse departments in the city. He mentioned that they have overcome obstacles to increase the number of officers from underrepresented communities, including hiring laterally from Boston. Chief Cronin also noted that the department has seen a significant increase in calls for service, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. In response to Kevin Graham's comments, Chief Cronin agreed that the department's diversity is an asset and that it enhances their ability to connect with the community. 4. Police Recommendations and Department Experiences Kevin Graham asked about the process for making recommendations to the police department and to whom these recommendations are made. Councilor MacDonald explained that the recommendations are made annually by the Police Commissioner and Police Chief based on the PCAC's review of public input, police department data, and other relevant information. He also mentioned that the new police commissioner, Barbara Murphy, was on vacation when the meeting was scheduled. Councilor MacDonald then invited others to share why they joined the police department, with several members sharing their experiences and reasons for joining. 5. Community Engagement and Policy Recommendations Councilor MacDonald discussed the City of Malden’s motivation to serve the community and provide a voice for people. He detailed the city’s involvement in the Malden 2020 commitment, which addressed fairness and racism in public health, policing, and community engagement. Councilor MacDonald shared the results of a community survey conducted by a group they were part of which led to the adoption of several recommendations, including reorienting policies, adding new policy sections, and establishing a Civilian Oversight Board. Chief Cronin also highlighted the implementation of a body camera program by the police department. 6. Body-Worn Cameras, Accreditation, and POST Commission Chief Cronin discussed the benefits of having body-worn cameras and being accredited by the Mass Police Accreditation Council, emphasizing that these measures increase transparency, create a uniform response to calls, and serve as a liability shield. He also highlighted the department's efforts to foster positive relationships with the community, specifically with religious institutions. Additionally, the Chief introduced the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST Commission), a civilian oversight board that investigates complaints against officers and can suspend or remove an officer's license. 7. Adhering to Open Meeting Laws and Clerk Role Councilor MacDonald stressed the importance of adhering to Massachusetts' open meeting laws and the need for a designated clerk to handle tasks such as posting agendas and taking minutes. The group also discussed potential future meeting plans and the need for a stipend for the clerk role, which will be confirmed later. Councilor MacDonald suggested printing materials to save time and reduce unattended instances. Additionally, Kevin indicated a topic he wanted to address in the next meeting. 8. City Budget and Police Department Funding Kevin inquired about the city of Malden's annual commitment to the police department and whether this budget could be adjusted for other city needs. Councilor MacDonald, also the chair of the Finance Committee, clarified that all city budgets are annually approved by the Council, and proposed by the mayor, and only general expenses, not grants, are under the Council's purview. He also mentioned that federal grants for the police department, which are formula-driven and competitive, are outside the Council's control. Councilor MacDonald explained to Kevin that the police department budget, currently around $10 million, is heavily influenced by collective bargaining agreements and city ordinances. He reassured Kevin that successful initiatives from the current year's budget would likely be continued in the next year. Chief Cronin discussed the challenges and strategies related to the police department's budget and operations, highlighting the department's constant activity, efforts to secure grant money, and proactive approach to community engagement. Councilor  MacDonald also presented the city budget website and clarified that some costs, like police details, are not taxpayer expenses. Kevin raised a concern about ensuring funds are available when needed. 9. Improving Police-Community Relationships Kashawna Harling, DEI Coordinator, discussed improving the relationship between the city's police department and the community. She suggested reaching out to Brian Cox from the Cambridge Police Department for insights on police councils and his experiences. Chief Cronin also discussed the acquisition of new vehicles, the organization's patrol strategy, and their involvement in the Opioid Task Force. The idea of increased community outreach was proposed, with the committee potentially participating in events like the National Night Out or school functions. Councilor MacDonald also mentioned the operation of a group aimed at building trust and understanding between the police department and the community, and suggested that the group should elect a chair and vice chair. 10. Next Steps and Action Items ➢ Kashawna to create a web page and email address for the Police Community Advisory Council. ➢ Kashawna to invite Brian Cox from Cambridge Police Department to speak at a future meeting. ➢ Chief Cronin to arrange police department tours and ride-alongs for council members. ➢ Council members to review the provided documents and budget information before the next meeting. ➢ Council members to consider topics for community outreach and engagement for discussion at the next meeting. ➢ Council to elect a chair and vice chair at the next meeting. ➢ Kashawna to schedule the next meeting for September 18th at 7:00 PM. ➢ Council members to consider participating in the police department's scenario-based training in the future. 11. Next Meeting Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00 pm, Malden City Hall, Room 113 12. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:43 pm. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact, Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000, EXT 2005.