Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations

Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations Minutes March 18, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. Peoria Police Department’s Training Room (600 SW Adams St., Peoria, IL) The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met at the Peoria Police Department’s Training Room on Monday, March 18, 2024, with proper notice posted. Vice-Chair Lang called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Allen, Boone, Cuizon, Echevarria, Lang, Malcolm, Richardson Excused: Amick, Burch, Schaidle, Smith Absent: Burnside, Farrell, Lowery, Petersen, Wilson City Staff Present: Toren, Deeb, D. White, Kirby APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Allen motioned to approve the November 20, 2023, meeting minutes; seconded by Member Cuizon. Motion passed. MEETING Asst. City Manager (ACM) Richardson presented a draft of the Advisory Committee brochure. She asked members for their input. She asked Chief for updated pictures to include. Chief Echevarria asked about adding a QR code that links to a volunteer form. ACM Richardson discussed adding a link to the advisory committee webpage under the police department on the city’s website. Chief Echevarria asked who the form would be submitted to. Vice-Chair Lang clarified that all advisory emails were linked to the Chair and Vice-Chair. Vice-Chair Lang opened the floor to discuss the police department’s Holiday with Heroes event. Chief Echevarria thanked members for the support and discussed all the behind the scenes work that went into this event. Vice-Chair Lang discussed an article that was published in the Journal Star regarding a shooting incident at a local woman’s house. Vice-Chair Lang revisited the idea of the Advisory Committee reaching out to crime scene victims to offer support. Chief Echevarria mentioned the co-response unit and the director and social worker that were recently hired. ACM Richardson discussed how these types of situations need to be handled sensitively and that there needs to be clear guidelines for consistency. She also discussed defining who should be reached out to. Chief Echevarria suggested inviting the co-response director to begin working on a procedure. ACM Richardson suggested receiving training on the correct terminology and tools to use. ACM Richardson asked about the Walk and Talk schedule. She suggested members signing up to hold people accountable. GENERAL POLICE UPDATES Lt. Deeb introduced Sgt. Denise White who is the new internal affairs sergeant. Lt. Deeb provided a statistics overview: 15 written complaints (9 of which are from the online form for things like a “car is speeding down my road”) and 15 internal investigations (5 of which were for accidents). Chief Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations Minutes March 18, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. Echevarria also discussed plans for an updated internal affairs office to include a professional interview room. Lt. Deeb also discussed the 2 new negotiator vans. One is set up for crisis negotiation and the other for a mobile office. CHIEF BOONE SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATE Chief Boone provided a brief update regarding Peoria Public Schools. He provided a statistical overview on the types of incidents that are happening at the schools. They have received year-to-date 39 tips from Tip411. He also discussed how the top report written is for battery. Lincoln Middle School has most Handle with Care reports with 2,049. These reports represent students who have been affected by any type of trauma. Chief Boone cautioned the committee in taking on the task of reaching out to victims. He discussed that there are other agencies that should be stepping in for these types of situations. CITIZEN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE – none ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 7:19 P.M.