The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/04/2008 12 Citizen Police Advisory Committee Repeal and Disbandment BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. A 12 For Meeting of March 4, 2008 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of resolution repealing and disbanding the Citizen Police Advisory Committee SUBMITTED BY: Dick Zais, City Manager CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Dick Zais, 575 -6040 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The City Council established the Citizen Police Advisory Committee in 2002 for the purpose of advising the Yakima Police Department, City Manager, and City Council on matters relating to law enforcement actions, standards, policies, procedures and programs. However, due to the inactivity of this Committee over the past several years, at the Council's retreat on January 26, 2008, it was determined that the Citizen Police Advisory Committee is no longer needed, and therefore, should be repealed and disbanded. The attached resolution repeals this Committee. • Resolution X Ordinance Other (Specify) Contract Mail to (name and address): Phone: Funding Source APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve resolution. BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: RESOLUTION NO. R 2008 - A RESOLUTION repealing City of Yakima Resolution R- 2002 -121 and disbanding the Citizen Police Advisory Committee. WHEREAS, on October 15, 2002, by Resolution R- 2002 -121 the City Council of the City of Yakima established the Citizen Police Advisory Committee for the City of Yakima and the Yakima Police Department for the purpose of advising the Yakima Police Department, City Manager, and City Council on matters relating to law enforcement actions, standards, policies, procedures and programs; and WHEREAS, by Resolution R- 2002 -121 the City Council adopted the philosophy, goals, guidelines, duties, number of members, and membership appointment criteria as described in a document entitled "Yakima Police Department Citizen Police Advisory Committee "; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the Citizen Police Advisory Committee should be disbanded; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: City of Yakima Resolution R- 2002 -121 is hereby repealed and the Citizen Police Advisory Committee is hereby disbanded. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 4 day of March, 2008. David Edler, Mayor ATTEST: Deborah Moore, City Clerk 410 BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. • For Meeting of 10 -15 -02 II'EM TITLE: Consideration of a resolution directing the City Council to authorize the formation and implementation of a Citizen Police Advisory Committee. SUBMIT 1 "ED BY: Roy Willson, Acting Chief of Police CONTACT PERSON /TELEPHONE: Lt. Mike Merryman - 575 -6218 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The City Council commissioned an independent inquiry of department practices involving cultural relations and alleged racial profiling in October of 2000. In February of 2001 the inquiry panel submitted its findings to the City Council. Their investigation determined that allegations of racial profiling and disparate treatment of minority officers were not sustainable. Subsequently, the committee, chaired by attorney Joe Falk, addressed issues of perceptions within the community as they related to racial profiling and cultural relations. 0,, The committee made a total of fourteen (14) recommendations to the City Council regarding how to address the perceptions of unfair or biased policing. Summary explanation continued on page 2. Resolution X Ordinance Other (Specify) Contract Mail to (name and address): Funding Source APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution. BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: Resolution adopted. RESOLUTPION R- 2002 -121 (IlLgend, /pdre nhzen poLce ad.uory cm'imutee 10-02 pm - — -- Continuation of summary explanation re resolution authorizing formation and implementation o • Citizen Police Advisory Committee The Council has proposed the formation of a Citizen Police Advisory Committee in response to recommendation #11 in the Inquiry Panel Report submitted by F. Joe Falk Jr., Bertha Ortega, and Larry Sanchez on February 12, 2001. Mayor Mary Place chaired a special committee to research this project. The committee was comprised of the Mayor, the City Manager, the Chief of Police, Ex- Councilman Henry Beauchamp, Lt. Mike Merryman and Council members John Puchinelli and Paul George. Each of the original Inquiry Panel members was consulted during this research and their recommendations were applied to the process of drafting the proposed Citizen Police Advisory Committee. The committee \ com .leted the final draft of the .ro .osed Citizen Police Advisory Committee on September - .- 24, 2002 after a Council study session. The City Council directs the formation of a Citizen Police Advisory Committee to make recommendations for the purpose of improving relations, promoting and encouraging open communication and cooperation between the Police Department and the residents of the City. The expected result of improved interaction and communication between the citizens and police is the delivery of fair, impartial police services, in the most professional manner possible. • • III (Ik}a Rends /po1ior atmen poi re ad.00ry mmmmee 10-02 pm • RESOLUTION NO. R -2002- 121 A RESOLUTION establishing a Citizen Police Advisory Committee for the City of Yakima and the Yakima Police Department for the purpose of advising the Yakima Police Department, City Manager and the City Council on matters relating to law enforcement actions, standards, policies, procedures and programs. WHEREAS, in October 2000, the City Council commissioned an independent three person panel to inquire into the practices of the Yakima Police Department involving cultural relations and allegations of racial profiling; and WI- IEREAS, on February 12, 2001, the inquiry panel issued a report concerning their findings and recommendations; and WHEREAS, while the panel found that the allegations of racial profiling were unsustainable, the panel did find that a perception of racial profiling existed within the community; and WHEREAS, in the February 12 report, the panel listed eleven recommendations to address said perception and other issues, including a recommendation that the City Council should develop and implement an independent citizen oversight process; and WHEREAS, attached hereto is a document entitled "Yakima Police Department Citizen Police Advisory Committee" that describes the philosophy, goals, guidelines, duties, number of members, and membership appointment criteria/requirements of a citizen committee that would be established for the purpose of advising the Yakima Police Department, City Manager and the City Council on matters relating to law enforcement actions, standards, policies, procedures and programs; and WHEREAS, the goal of the Citizen Police Advisory Committee would be to enhance the level of communication between the Yakima Police Department and the community it serves by providing an avenue for input to the Department, and also by enhancing the education of the community members on issues of interest to the Department and the community; and WHEREAS, it is expected that by providing a forum for interaction and communication between the Yakima Police Department and the community, the Department will be in a better position to deliver fair, impartial police services in the most professional manner possible; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to establish such a Citizen Police Advisory Committee for the previously stated purpose, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: 1. A Citizen Police Advisory Committee is hereby established for the City of Yakima and the Yakima Police Department to act in an advisory capacity to the Yakima Police p Y P �' MIes- citizen police advisory committee -pm -,. -,_ — _. _._�......�._. Department, City Manager and City Council on matters relating to law enforcement actions, standards, policies, procedures and programs. 2. The philosophy, goals, guidelines, duties, number of members, and membership appointment criteria /requirements of the Citizen Police Advisory Committee are stated and described in the attached and incorporated document entitled, "Yakima Police Department, Citizen Police Advisory Committee." 3. The Committee shall hold at least one regular meeting during every two calendar month period at a regular time and place to be designated by vote of a majority of the Committee. Special meetings may be held at any time as called by the Committee chair, or vice -chair in the chair's absence, or by any five members who request a special meeting. All Committee meetings shall be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Open • Public Meetings Act (RCW Chapter 42.30). 4. Any member of the Committee may be 'removed from office by a vote of the majority of the members of the City Council. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 15th day of October, 2002. • s /Mary Place A'f1'EST: Mary Place, Mayor • s /Karen S. Roberts City Clerk • • • (Ik)res- citizen police advisory committee-pm l 0, September 24, 2002 Yakima Police Depai tment Citizen Police Advisory Committee_ The Citizen Police Advisory Committee (working title) (herein referred to as the Committee) acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council, Chief of Police and City Manager on matters relating to law enforcement actions, standards, policies, procedures and programs. The Committee is encouraged to provide input reflecting community • values in an effort to increase communications between the police and the community, and to facilitate a greater understanding of preferred policing methods for the city. Philosophy: The role of the Committee is to develop and make recommendations for the purpose of improving relations, promoting and encouraging open communication and cooperation between the Police Department and residents of the City. Goals: The most goal of the Citizen Police Advisory Committee is to enhance the level of communication between the Department and the citizens it serves by providing an avenue for input to the department from the represented community served, while educating citizens on issues of interest to the community and the Department. The expected result of interaction and communication between citizens and police employees is the delivery fair, impartial police services in the most professional manner possible. In particular, some specific tangible goals to use as a springboard for the Committee to begin working for the community good are: • to reduce the incidence of traffic violations on City streets. • to enhance public awareness and education to the Spanish speaking public. • to provide alternative means to mediate defective equipment on vehicles driven on City streets. • to increase citizen attendance at Yakima Police Department Citizens Academy classes. • to work with Department training management to assist with locating trainers for cultural awareness and sensitivity training for Department personnel. • to provide committee members to attend various public forums /events to assist with educating the public with regard to Department policy and procedure. • to help support City of Yakima legislative priorities and work with the Police Department and City representatives to enact legislation establishing statewide data collection uniformity for law enforcement agencies. Yakima Police Department Citizen Police Advisory Committee September 24, 2002 Duties: The duties of the Committee will be to: • Study, examine and recommend methods, approaches and techniques to encourage and develop an active citizen - police partnership in the prevention of crime and in developing safer neighborhoods. • Develop and recommend strategies and/or legislation for improving citywide crime prevention efforts and increasing citizen participation in crime prevention efforts, including community oriented policing. • Study the functions, operations and procedures of the law enforcement system. • Strengthen and ensure the principles of equal protection under the law for all persons. • Ask for a report of action taken by the Department in response to an incident and/or citizen complaint, which has created community concern or controversy. Term: The Committee will consist of nine (9) members. Five (5) of the original nine (9) members will serve two -year terms. The remaining four (4) of the original members will serve a one -year term. All members appointed after the original nine (9) will serve two - year terms. A person appointed to fill a vacancy will serve for the balance of the term for which their predecessor was appointed. 0, Appointment: The City Council will select seven (7) of the nine (9) Committee members. The police department will designate two (2) members from the department. The Committee will be representative of the population diversity indicators reflected in the most current U.S. census for the City of Yakima. The Committee will include seven (7) representatives from within the City of Yakima; one (1) representative from a police employee group; and one (1) representative from the police management staff. The Committee will elect a chair and vice - chair. No person shall serve as an officer in the same position for more than two successive terms. Position Requirements: Citizen Committee members will be required to meet the following criteria for the position: • Original Committee members must attend and successfully complete the next available Yakima Police Citizens' Academy. • Subsequent Committee members must have successfully completed the Yakima Police Citizens' Academy prior to being considered for a Committee position. 0 , Yakima Police Department Citizen Police Advisory Committee September 24, 2002 3 • Take part in the Yakima Police Department Citizen Rider Program (Minimum of 12 hours /year) • Members will receive ongoing training on police policies and procedures • Attend four (4) blocks of annual Department in- service training, two of which will be Cultural Diversity and Ethics • Have no record of a FELONY conviction • Have no record of a Misdemeanor or Gross - Misdemeanor crime involving assault of a police officer, obstructing a police officer or domestic violence • Be a registered voter within the City of Yakima Failure to meet the forgoing criteria will result in removal from the Committee. Guidelines: The Committee and any member thereof, except as otherwise authorized by law, may not: • Incur City expenses or obligate the City of Yakima in any wa y without prior budget authorization of the council. • Make any written or oral report of any committee activity to any individual or body other than to the council without prior authorization by the City Council. • Conduct investigations regarding individual police officers and the disciplinary decisions of the Police Department. • Conduct any activity which might constitute or be construed as establishment of City policy.. • Disclose, release and/or violate the confidentiality of any information related to matters involving pending or forthcoming civil or criminal litigation, or ongoing/completed internal police investigations. The activities of the Committee at all times will be conducted in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. All meetings of the Committee shall be held in accordance with the applicable 'provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW Chapter 42.30. Action outside of the authority of the committee may result in forfeiture of membership. • Yakima Police Department Citizen Police Advisory Committee September 24, 2002 ,