Citizen's Review Board

Wichita Citizen Review Board Minutes November 29, 2018 4 p.m. Advanced Learning Library 711 West 2nd St. N. Conference Rooms B & C Wichita, KS 67203 Present: Dennis Bender, Jay Fowler, Stephanie Luna, Captain Chet Pinkston, Shaun Rojas, Timothy Sims, Tonja Sowder, Robert Thompson, Sharon Ailslieger, Odell Harris, Jr., Paul Kitchen, Janet Miller. 1. Call to Order—Chairperson Fowler The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:11 p.m. 2. Approval of October 4, 2018 Meeting Minutes Bender made a motion to approve the October 4 minutes. Second by Thompson. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Public Agenda - 15 minutes is set aside for this portion of the meetings No one signed up to be on the public agenda. 4. Staff Report Discussion Captain Pinkston provided an updated staff report of complaints and investigations for the 2018 year (Jan. 1 to Nov. 20) and noted that report additions will be provided at future meetings instead of a full report. He noted they are working on correcting the internal data/formatting for complaints and investigations and determining what constitutes an investigation versus a complaint. Sims questioned who was providing the snapshot data. Pinkston responded it would be himself as representative of the Police Department. Fowler stated he likes the current snapshot data provided because it gives a better understanding of the complaint or investigation. 5. Ordinance Update Pinkston questioned why the racial profiling training had been changed from “mandatory” to “encouraged or optional”. Fowler noted that the Board discussion was on the Citizens’ Police Academy not being mandatory, not on the racial profiling training. Pinkston stated he would correct the racial profiling training reference in the Ordinance. Pinkston provided an updated ordinance with Jennifer Magaña from the Law Department. Wichita Citizen Review Board November 29, 2018 Page 1 of 4 Sims asked if City staff was involved in revising the Ordinance. Pinkston noted that the Law Department and City Manager were involved. The ordinance would have to go to City Council and then posted for 10 days after it appears on the agenda. Miller asked if the Board would review the ordinance revisions prior to it going to Council. Fowler mentioned the request to make alternate members official board members since all members are required to take the Citizens’ Police Academy training. Sims wanted more communication to the board with updates on current items and other items that are approaching. Rojas asked if the Board needs more alternates if members need to leave. Harris expressed his concerns on being an alternate. He stated alternates are expected to have the same amount of credentials and training as regular board members; however, they are expected to leave during Executive Session. There was discussion as to whether to change the Board to 13 members or just make the alternates non-voting members who may attend the Executive Sessions. Magana stated they are checking into the State statutes regarding who may attend the Executive Sessions. Miller voiced a concern regarding the transition and exchange of information when staff changes. The Board expressed concern that if it has taken so long to get ordinance changes, it may take even longer to change police policies. 6. By-law Discussion Fowler noted since the ordinance was not ready, there could be no discussion regarding the by- laws. 7. Mission Statement Discussion Rojas stated he felt some of the private information the Board requests has hindered the Board from recommending policy changes. Fowler considered the Board to have a dual role. One of the functions of the Board to be addressing policies and making recommendations which could be independent of officer actions. He thinks the citizens believe the Board should review the police discipline issues. Sowder stated she thought the purpose of the Board would be to serve as a liaison between the citizens and the Wichita Police Department. Luna read the purpose of the Board as described in the Ordinance. Fowler stated the Board has an advisory role. Thompson stated he would like more policy revision, discipline, accountability, and transparency. Wichita Citizen Review Board November 29, 2018 Page 2 of 4 Miller responded that when the agenda is structured, it should coordinate with the purpose/functions of the Board. Fowler added that the agenda should involve transparency and public education to engage the community. Sowder suggested posting the agenda sooner so the community will know what policy will be discussed at the meeting. Fowler noted that they are trying to publish the agendas earlier with more information regarding each agenda item. Miller noted the Board should continually review the task list which includes the following policy discussions: • Report of off-duty officers • Release of name • Juvenile arrest policy – this policy should come up for review in March and the Board would like to have input Fowler added that the community can ask Board members for information on specific cases and it could be placed on the agenda. Sims asked about KORA request restrictions. Pinkston noted that if there is an active investigation or pending litigation there could be restrictions. The release of body camera footage is still a question nationwide. (Miller left the meeting at 5:10 p.m.) Fowler noted they would continue with the mission statement as is. Rojas stated the Board needs to be more diligent in ensuring the agenda adheres to the purpose of the Board. 8. Citizens’ Police Academy Fowler provided documents for the Board regarding the Citizens’ Police Academy. He asked Board members who had attended to give their opinions of the academy. Ailslieger described her experience as “pretty good” training and that she learned a lot. Luna described her experience as “interesting”. She stated there was a lot of information in Week 10 of the training and she wished there was more time to review the information given. There was really great communication by the training staff. She really enjoyed the ride-along. Thompson stated he enjoyed the ride-along and the gun range. It was a great overview of many topics, but he would have liked more information on the role of the District Attorney. Fowler stated he attended the academy as well. He encouraged all of the Board to attend the academy. The next academy begins in February 2019. (Rojas left the meeting at 5:32 p.m.) Wichita Citizen Review Board November 29, 2018 Page 3 of 4 9. New Business Pinkston shared a summary of two shootings that occurred on November 27, 2018. Pinkston talked about IMPAC. Officers will return to the community where there was an incident and will have a public discussion about what happened. The community police officers are expected to initiate the meeting. Bender asked if board members could attend the meetings so they could hear the information that is being shared with the community. Pinkston said he would look into Bender’s request because he felt it was a good idea. He could start forwarding the meetings to the Board members. Pinkston reviewed policy for Axon violations. Axon houses the videos for WPD and officers cannot change the video at all. They are looking at upgrading the equipment. Each bureau is responsible for their video and has to ensure case numbers, dates, addresses are assigned to videos. All policies are online. Bender requested to review the Staffing Study Report from 2017. Pinkston stated he would add it to his list. Sowder asked about the homicide investigation sign-up that was discussed previously and where they were in initiating it. Pinkston stated he would follow-up on it and send another email to the Board to see who was interested in being on the list. The Board agreed to have the next meeting on Thursday, January 3, 2019 preferably at the Advanced Learning Library if available. Fowler mentioned per the Ordinance, members are unable to miss two (2) meetings in a row and are unable to miss half of the meetings in a year thus making it important to have the Board agree to the meeting dates. 10. Adjourn Sims made a motion to adjourn. Second by Luna. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m. Wichita Citizen Review Board November 29, 2018 Page 4 of 4