Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations

Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations Minutes September 16, 2024 – 6:00P.M. Twin Towers Building, Room 420 (456 Fulton St., Peoria, IL) The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met at Twin Towers Building, Room 420 on Monday, September 16, 2024, with proper notice posted. Chair Burch called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Allen, Amick, Bragg, Burch, Cuizon, Echevarria, Gress, Lang, Malcolm, Mitchell, Richardson, Schaidle, and Sommerville. Excused: Wilson. Absent: Boone, Jackson (Darrell), and Jackson (Donald). City Staff Present: Collins, Hayes, Kirby, and White. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilman Allen motioned to approve the July 15, 2024, meeting minutes; seconded by Member Sommerville. Motion passed. MEETING Chair Burch opened the floor to discuss voting for the Chair / Vice-Chair position. She explained that this was a yearly vote and briefly explained the positions and their responsibilities. Asst. City Manager Richardson asked if the committee should defer this vote since there have been several new members that have joined recently. Councilman Allen asked if Chair Burch would be willing to finish out this calendar year; Chair Burch agreed. Members discussed when to vote and brought up participating in the Police Department’s Holiday with Heroes event in December. Vice-Chair Lang motioned to vote in January 2025 (on Tuesday, January 21st due to the MLK holiday); seconded by Councilman Allen. Motion passed. Chair Burch discussed upcoming opportunities for community engagement. Chief Echevarria discussed the Peoria High football game on October 18th at 7PM. The school does a police themed game that night. The Peoria Police Department has sponsored a new uniform for that night among other things to be announced. Chief invited the committed to set up a table at the game. He also discussed the department’s Halloween event (with date/time TBD). ACM Richardson also discussed City Hall’s Halloween event. Chief also invited the committee to participate in the Halloween event as well. He also mentioned the department’s last Walk and Talk on September 19th at Dunlap Falls Apartments. GENERAL POLICE UPDATES Chief Echevarria introduced Ofc. Chris Collins who is part of recruiting and shared the recent recruitment report. He shared the national demographic statistics for police officers and how the Peoria Police Department compared. He shared that there are 36 applicants for the next pool of recruits. Member Bragg asked about the hiring process and at what point the department sees Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations Minutes September 16, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. applicants fall off. Chief discussed the background process, and the polygraph, psychological, and POWER test (fitness test). He shared that the department tries to reduce barriers of entry. For example, the department has a fitness team that works to prepare candidates for the POWER test. Sgt. Denise White briefly discussed the complaint statistics that included 31 total year-to-date. CITIZEN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE – none ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 7:09 P.M.