Civilian Police Review & Advisory Board

MINUTES CIVILIAN POLICE REVIEW AND ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting January 9, 2025 In Person at the Morgantown Public Library, and by Zoom Members Present: Bob Cohen, Catherine Fonseca, Rachel Fetty (by Zoom), Bryan Church (by Zoom) , Dady Dadyburjor (by Zoom), Megan Gandy (by Zoom) Also present: John Evans (by Zoom) 1. Call to Order: 12:13 pm. Meeting chaired by Rachel in absence of Rich, who gave notice that he is sick. 2. Minutes of the regular meeting held on December 9, 2024 were approved on motion of Bryan seconded by Megan. 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS – A. Statistics and Reporting Committee Telephone calls to Deputy Chief Ruehmer to set up a meeting to discuss statistics have been unsuccessful. Dady and Bob suggested sending a letter to Chief Powell and Deputy Chief Ruehmer. On motion of Rachel seconded by Bob, the Board voted that Rich or another member of the Statistics Committee should send a letter to the Chief and Deputy Chief about arranging a meeting to discuss statistics. Regarding the Board’s Annual Report for 2024, Catherine reported that she will have a draft completed within the next few days which she could circulate to the Committee and then to the full Board. Members will vote by email in order to comply with the January 31 deadline. On motion of Rachel seconded by Bob, the Board voted to approve the procedure suggested by Catherine, with the understanding that Members will submit their comments on the draft no later than January 24. B. Community Outreach Committee See Budget proposal for Community Survey under Old Business. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Megan reported that she successfully submitted the funding proposal to the City on December 16, 2024. She removed close to $5000 for the research assistant and said that she will find other money to fund the research assistant. The amount requested of 1  the City is $8650.10. Megan further reported that she put $7741.10 as the minimum funding needed. B. Regarding the Police Department’s citizen complaint form and instructions, Bob reported that he had sent the Board’s proposed revised citizen complaint/commendation forms and instructions to Chief Powell, the City Manager and the City Attorney with a request for a meeting to discuss the proposal prior to today’s meeting. He had heard nothing back. There ensued a discussion regarding whether and when the Board should send the proposal to the press and other media. In light of the Christmas/New Year holidays, the weather, and also in light of the resignation of Kim Haws as City Manager and the difficulties the City would be experiencing due to the change to another, temporary, City Manager. Bob was authorized to send a letter to Chief Powell, the interim City Manager and the City Attorney asking for feedback on the Board’s proposal before the next Board meeting on February 13. C. There was discussion of the need to increase membership on the Board. No one has heard anything from City Council members. D. Regarding regular meetings with Chief Powell, members present had not heard anything, but with Rich absent, we could not be sure that there had been no contact. 5. NEW BUSINESS None. 6. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT None. 7. The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 pm on motion of Dady seconded by Bryan. Minutes prepared by Bob Cohen 2