McLean County Times

City of Bloomington Public Safety & Community Relations Board met July 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was convened at 6 pm by Chair Arthur Taylor.

2. Roll Call

Mr. Taylor called the roll. Member Woodard was absent.

Staff present: Chief Clay Wheeler, Greg Moredock, Nora Dukowitz, Chad Walmsley

3. Public Comment

-Jenn Carillo of the YWCA spoke and expressed concerns that there was not enough information about the PSCRB on the web and that Chief Wheeler was listed as the staff contact. She said there should be more definition between the PD and the PSCRB. She said she was happy the Board would be working on Welcoming City policies with the PD.

-Tom Cullen of the ACLU spoke. He expressed he thought the Board needed to be independent from the PD. He wants the Board to hear more about the Welcoming City concept.

-Cinnamon Porter of BLM spoke and echoed the sentiments of the previous two speakers.

-Dee Urban (?) of Vineyard Church spoke and expressed there was a need for a call for peace. She encouraged openness in the community.

-Louis of Bloomington spoke and said he would like to see the PSCRB involved in creating a Welcoming City ordinance. He also wants the PSCRB to consider/review traffic stop data.

-Jerry James of Normal spoke and expressed he was happy the PSCRB was created.

4. Discussion of Pending Citizen Complaints Received

No complaints have been received for the review of the PSCRB. The City is being sued by an individual and the PSCRB is mentioned in the lawsuit. Legal is trying to reach out to the individual to explain the process of filing a complaint with the PSCRB. The Police department has received ten complaints for the year and has three or four of those pending.

5. Presentation and Distribution of City Council Approved Posters and Brochure

Mr. Taylor presented the posters and brochure and made them available for distribution.

6. Presentation of Complaint Review Process

a. Expectation Setting for Presentation

Chairman Taylor set expectations for the presentation.

b. Overview of Bloomington Police Department Complaint Review Process

Chad Walmsley gave a presentation on the BPD process.

c. Overview of PSCRB Complaint Review Process

Chairman Taylor and the Board give overview of the process.

i. Question and Answer Period

ii. Question and Answer Period

The following questions and answers were shared (both Q&A periods are summarized below together):

-Q: Can interviews be used against people in court?

-A: People do not have to be interviewed as part of the process. BPD does not automatically provide interviews during the complaint process to the court. However, their comments could be used. Especially if the person testifies one way in court and provides a contrary statement in the complaint. Both the court and BPD complaint process is interested in the truth.

-Q: Can someone sit with the complainant during the interview?

-A: Sometimes, but it can be problematic. The PD will look at some best practices in this area. -Q: Is it clear to people that they don’t have to talk to a supervisor?

-A: It’s online and on the complaint form but could be clearer in person.

-Q: Are there interpreters available at the PD?

-A: Yes, arrangements can be made for this.

-Q: What happens if a person’s court date comes before the complainant is responded to by the PD?

-A: This is not usually an issue. People should seek the advice of an attorney.

-Q: How much material will he PSCRB have access to for review?

-A: “We don’t know what we don’t know.” It will be a work in progress as the board gets their first complaints.

-Q: If the complainant is not able to be contacted (lack of contact info), does the PD still investigate the complaint?

-A: Yes.

-Q: Are notaries available?

-A: Yes.

-Q: Is the PSCRB notified when complaints are made to the PD?

-A: The PD reports the number of complaints at the PSCRB monthly meeting.

-Q: Are the outcomes of complaints public record?

-A: They are available online.

-Q: Are BPD complaints accepted 24/7?

-A: Yes.

-Q: Are interviews with officers recorded?

-A: Yes.

-Q: What evidence will the PSCRB see?

-A: Personal information will be redacted.

-Q: Can the public search the number of complaints against particular officers?

-A: No.

-Q: Are complaints subject to FOIA?

-A: Not in their entirety.

7. Discussion of future meeting dates, times, and location

The next regular meeting will be August 8 at 3:30 pm in the Osborn Room. The next Quarterly Meeting will be September 19 at 6 pm, location TBD.

8. Adjournment

Motion by Member Bosquez, seconded by Member Fish to adjourn. Time: 7:15 pm

Motion carried (viva voce)

http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=18610