Citizen's Review Board

Wichita Citizen Review Board Minutes October 25, 2018 4 p.m. Advanced Learning Library 711 W. 2nd Street Conference Rooms A & B Wichita, KS 67203 Present: Jay Fowler, Robert Thompson, Dennis Bender, Odell Harris Jr., Shaun Rojas, Stephanie Luna, Paul Kitchen, Sharon Ailslieger, Jaime Lopez, Janet Miller, Officer Hayes, Officer Villegas, Captain Pinkston, DC Jose Salcido. 1. Call to Order—Chairperson Fowler The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:10 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes October 4 Meeting Approval of the minutes was deferred until Thompson arrived in order to have a quorum. Thompson arrived after discussion of the tattoo policy. Bender made a motion to approve the October 4 meeting minutes. Second by Fowler. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Public Agenda - 15 minutes is set aside for this portion of the meetings. No one on the public agenda. 4. Update – Chief’s Update - Captain Pinkston Fowler introduced Captain Pinkston as the new staff liaison to the Board. Pinkston stated he had been with WPD for 28 ½ years in varying positions and also had a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Pinkston gave an update on staff and noted that an officer had resigned upon notification that the officer was under investigation. Fowler asked for Pending Items to be added back to the agenda. He stated that the board preferred having a narrative of the updates to the data report with more statistical information to be provided. Then the board could ask for more specifics after reviewing the report if needed. Miller suggested that it should be standard protocol for the Board to be updated if the District Attorney rules on an officer–involved shooting or use of force case. Pinkston noted that he would have a copy of the District Attorney’s report for the next meeting. 5. Discussion – Officers and Tattoos Villegas noted that in 2009 a policy was enacted stating that officers’ tattoos had to be concealed and facial, head, and neck tattoos were not permitted. Since then, social norms have Wichita Citizen Review Board October 25, 2018 Page 1 of 4 changed and the military branches have relaxed their policies on tattoos. In 2016 the Kansas Highway Patrol conducted a citizen survey regarding tattoos and they received mostly positive comments. WPD polled staff regarding tattoos and had 529 respondents. They were asked five questions. 75% responded that WPD should not have a regulation prohibiting visible tattoos. 80% responded that visible tattoos do not detract from an officer’s professionalism. 23% responded they would have visible tattoos that would be displayed in a regular uniform if the regulation were to change. 61% responded that visible tattoos should be screened/approved. And 82% responded the current policy should be modified to allow visible tattoos. Maize PD is the only surrounding organization that prohibits visible tattoos. WPD has had some limited recruiting due to the visible tattoos policy. The proposed regulation states that any offensive design, logo or wording tattoo/brand must not show while on duty. Head, neck and hand tattoos are not acceptable with the exception of a wedding ring tattoo. If a member is scheduled for court, official ceremonies, escort detail, or special events, tattoos/brands should be covered. If officer wants to have tattoos visible, they may submit photos for review. If approved, photos will be kept for record and review later. Bender asked if there is a current policy regarding personal appearance such as for hair. Villegas responded for men, hair should be short and off the neck. Mustache may not be past the mouth and beards and goatees are not allowed. Women must have hair pulled back. Luna asked if piercings are allowed. Villegas responded that men may not have piercings and women are allowed one stud per ear. No other piercings allowed. Lopez asked if ear gauges are allowed. Villegas responded no. Villegas stated new applicants would have to go through a screening process. Lopez asked about new tattoos for current employees. Villegas responded the supervisor must approve and until approved, the tattoo must be covered. Fowler asked what coverings are permissible. Villegas responded the covering must not distract from the uniform. Black covering with the black uniform or some wear flesh colored coverings. Miller asked if they wanted a vote of endorsement from the Board. Pinkston responded that the intent was to inform the Board of the proposed regulation. Bender made a motion to endorse the proposed regulation on tattoos. Second by Fowler. The motion passed unanimously. Wichita Citizen Review Board October 25, 2018 Page 2 of 4 6. New Business Fowler noted he would like to have Pending Business added to the agenda for future meetings. He reviewed a list of pending items: • Policy request regarding the release of officer’s name involved in complaints • Off-duty work for officers – waiting for a presentation on this • Policy revisions on body camera video release • Ordinance revisions need to have action before the end of the year and requested Law to present changes at the next meeting. • Board bylaw revisions will coincide with the ordinance revisions • Mission, vision, goals and agenda setting for next year • Case review for PSB 17-2841 • Creation of a tracking list • Juvenile Arrest Policy Bender noted that the ordinance should be high priority. Miller noted there were to be changes made to the letter template sent to complainants regarding status of their complaints. This should be a priority and an easy task. To her knowledge, there was no response if changes could be done. Bender added that any communication with the public should be a priority for the Board. Pinkston responded that he thought the tracking list is a good idea. Fowler requested that the next meeting include discussion of the ordinance and when the ordinance will be presented to City Council for approval. It was decided that the next meeting will include the CRB ordinance, mission, and vision and review of PSB 17-2841. Board agreed unanimously to have the next meeting on Thursday, November 29 preferably at the Advanced Learning Library again. Bender noted he would like to have staff provide an update on the staffing study done in 2017 and the strategic plan that was done in spring 2018. Miller requested a handout of the DA’s ruling at the next meeting. Fowler suggested it be handed out as a staff report item. Miller noted that the minutes should be posted as soon as they are approved. Fowler stated he would like the agenda posted on the website on the Friday prior to the meeting. Miller suggested Magaña bring the revised ordinance with the bylaws revised accordingly for the next meeting. Pinkston introduced Deputy Chief Salcido to discuss the Board participating in homicide cases. Salcido extended an invitation to Board members to join him and detectives on a homicide case so they can see the mechanics of an investigation, understand the process and have more transparency. The plan would be to call the Board member at the time Salcido is notified of the Wichita Citizen Review Board October 25, 2018 Page 3 of 4 crime. The Board member would need to be ready within approximately 45 minutes of taking his call and should be prepared to spend approximately 4-5 hours with detectives. The Board member would be notified if there is an arrest and would receive updates on the case if there is not an arrest. Interested Board members should contact Pinkston and let him know if there are any restrictions on time/days they would like to be called. Pinkston stated he would create a list of interested Board members and stay in contact with them to let them know where they are on the list. Miller suggested Pinkston bring the list to each meeting so the Board would know who is next in line to be called. Salcido stated that historically November and December are busy months. If they continued on the current trend, they could see 52 homicides for the year. 7. Adjourn Luna made a motion to adjourn. Second by Bender. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5:11 p.m. Wichita Citizen Review Board October 25, 2018 Page 4 of 4