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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 Minutes MarchMINUTES A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHULA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT 3rd floor training room 315 FOURTH AVENUE March 14, 2019 CHULA VISTA, CA 91910 5:00 PM Roxana Kennedy Chief of Police MEMBERS: Ray Aragon Martin Barros Gustavo Bidart Norma Cazares Patty Chavez Takisha Corbett Jose de la Garza Henrietta Harb Marla Kingkade Peter Mabrey Ternot MacRenato Anthony Millican Gerry Sablan STAFF: Captain Vern Sallee Captain Phil Collum Captain Eric Thunberg ASM Jonathan Alegre DCA Carol Trujillo SAS Cathy Miller CALL TO ORDER: 5:08 PM ROLL CALL: Present: Norma Cazares, Martin Barros, Gustavo Bidart, Jose de la Garza, Marla Kingkade, Peter Mabrey, Gerry Sablan, Takisha Corbett, Ternot MacRentato and Anthony Millican Not Present: Ray Aragon, Henrietta Harb and Patty Chavez City staff present: Roxana Kennedy, Eric Thunberg, Phil Collum, Vern Sallee, Jonathan Alegre, and Carol Trujillo Chief’s Introduction of New Foundation Executive Director: Chief Kennedy introduced Carla Valenzuela the new Executive Director of the Chula Vista Police Foundation. Executive Director Valenzuela brings 20 years of experience in working with nonprofit organizations and is comfortable with business development; strategic planning, program development, marketing, public relations, media relations high profile e evening planning, fundraising and community/government relations. Executive Director Valenzuela hopes to reach out to the Latino community and created the brand marketing tool “K- Paws-A”, a play on words that will feature the canines of CVPD. Executive Director Valenzuela looks forward to working with the CAC members and can be reached at director@chulavistapolicefoundation.org. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments. 1. Approval of minutes of December 2018 minutes. Motion to approve the December 2018 minutes made by CAC member Sablan and seconded by CAC member Corbett. Accepted by all. 2. Chief’s Report Chief Kennedy passed out the latest flyers to be given to anyone interested in becoming an officer. She encouraged CAC members to hand them out to potential candidates. 2 Since December 2016, the chief has hired 54 sworn officers and promoted 47 from within the organization. Measure A will reflect 7 new hires. CVPD is the only police department in California working with the FAA using drones as first responders. Chief Kennedy gave Captain Sallee accolades for working with the community and ACLU starting since 2015. By networking and having community forums, the support given to the department has paid off in huge dividends. The Department received a Technology Innovation Award from the California Police Chiefs Association – the only department from 330 California police departments. To date there have been 354 operations flights; 285 calls for service; 95 flight hours. The drone average response time is 114 seconds once the call is received, and the drone has previously been limited to a radius of one mile around the police department as the testing ground. The FAA has just cleared CVPD to fly beyond visual sight – far beyond the one mile radius - which no other department in the United States has achieved in an urban environment. Real time information received from the drone visuals will inform department personnel to make the right tactical decisions. The drone as a first responder can be used as a deescalating tool; keeping the community, the suspect and the officers safe. CAC member de la Garza lauded the department on the program and commented the department has become an example of how first responders should handle calls for service. Captain Sallee thanked the CAC members since the group was invested in reviewing and sharing the drone program with the community. For drone information, the Chula Vista Police website has detailed information (https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/police-department/programs/uas- drone-program). This site can be used on Facebook if members wanted to share with their friends. The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing announced CVPD was the recipient of the international 2018 Hermon Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing. The Police Department received the award after presenting the domestic violence program at the 28th Annual Problem-Oriented Policing conference in Rhode Island. Other finalists included representatives from Oregon, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the British Transport and Rail Industry. The Chula Vista Police Department was the finalist selected for the prestigious award. The team will travel to the UK in March to share their award winning techniques at the international problem solving conference. CAC member Cazares had brought to command the attention of an article in the SDUT regarding the cost for inmates’ long distance calls. After extensive research, Captain Collum, discussed the way the phone companies work on charging fees throughout the state of California. There are mandated state protocols to follow. Although phone companies take a certain percentage of fees, some fees are returned to the agency and all proceeds go into the inmate welfare fund which by law must be spent on the welfare of the inmates for what the jail does not provide. A part time employee was hired to work with the inmates on programs beneficial to them. 3 CAC member Corbett asked where the inmates were calling that were so expensive. Captain Collum explained the most expensive calls were called Inter-LATA, which is like long distance and crosses multiple different phone companies within the state. CAC member MacRenato asked what the average time an inmate stays in the jail. The average is approximately six months. CAC member Barros asked how many inmates does the jail currently house and it is approximately 44. CAC member de la Garza asked was police response to the article given regarding the Inter-LATA calls sent in a written document. It was not. Chief Kennedy commented that although the article appeared to be a negative piece, it helped the Department research the use of phone companies to make sure costs are fair and reasonable. CAC member Kingkade commented on the interlacing of phone carriers within the state of California, which can cost more money to call within the state, compared to smaller states on the east coast that are served by one phone carrier. CAC member Corbett asked when the contract expires if it is possible to research companies for a lower cost especially in the lower economic areas versus the influential areas. Captain Collum agreed that the news report provided helpful insights that can be used to research new companies or negotiate with the current company. Chief Kennedy asked DCA Trujillo to touch briefly on SB1421, the new transparency law effective 01/01/19 which requires disclosure, upon request, of previously confidential peace-officer personnel files in four categories:  Discharge of a firearm at a person (Officer Involved Shooting - OIS)  Use of Force resulting in death or great bodily injury (GBI)  Sustained violations of sexual misconduct with member of the public (not co-worker except for cadets)  Sustained violations of dishonesty The department was one of the first to release any records requested since the law came into effect and has responded to 12 requests from the media and ACLU. The city holds peace officer conduct records for six years although state law requires only five years retention. Chief Kennedy discussed the stance of the department and how seriously information from the community is taken in regard to one officer recently being terminated for poor judgement. She personally spoke to the complainant to let thank them for bringing it to the attention of the department, so a thorough investigation could be conducted. She described the process when asked for a record which includes the original complaint, the GPS location, the witness’s investigation, the officer’s investigation, all written transcripts, the discipline process if the allegation is sustained, the punishment meted, the attorney involvement in a skelly hearing and the findings and 4 recommendations. When releasing the reports, all names of witness are redacted, medical and family information is redacted, and juvenile information is confidential. The city of Chula Vista has only five responsive records; 3 OIS; 1 for sexual misconduct 1 for dishonesty. CAC member MacRenato asked if an officer could be arrested in the case of sexual misconduct. In the case of the recent termination criminal conduct was evaluated but not pursued because it could not be proved. The incident was clandestine without witnesses and was consensual. CAC member Kingkade asked if it was correct that the first two categories listed would result in an officer keeping their job but the latter two would terminate the officer and DCA agreed if the use of force was within policy and law. CAC member Cazares Norma asked if PRA requests will ask if the officer is terminated or still working and if it is released. Records of employment status, officer rank and salary would be released. CAC member Cazares asked if records are only being released from 2019 forward or is it retroactive. The PRA applies to records in a city’s possession, so records existing before 2019 are subject to release. The Chula Vista Police Officers’ Association did not object to the release. Chief Kennedy attended roll calls to discuss SB1421 and the concerns officers have with the release of their information as well as their family’s information. CAC member MacRenato asked if four officers respond to the scene and an incident falling in one of the four categories occurred, would all officers’ names be released instead of just the one and the names of witness officers would be released. DCA Trujillo described the extensive research and work that must be done in redacting certain information in regard to public records request and the guidelines of what can and cannot be released (juvenile information, pictures of dead bodies, information on families or personal residence – privacy issues must be considered). 3. Discussion on incident of SDG&E Park Chief Kennedy spoke on the incident at SDG&E Park and thanked both Captain Sallee and CAC member Cazares for their quick Facebook live interview which deescalated community concern and media misinformation. As with all internal reviews, this incident was reviewed by the sergeants, lieutenants, captains and the attorney’s office which ensured a thorough evaluation for compliance with law and department policy and procedures, as well as for any opportunities for improvement. CAC member Cazares was thanked for opening her home to the teacher who was concerned about the police conduct, offering a comfortable environment to discuss the issues one on one. The role the CAC provides to the police department is important and it is vital to keep the lines of communication open to the community. 5 Although no one from the public registered a complaint, a thorough internal investigation was conducted of the entire incident. Reviews allow managers to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, such as communication or tactics. Reviews are part of a continuous improvement in any organization for good outcomes. CAC member MacRenato asked if it is possible to have the full record of the incident, however it did not meet the criteria for release under SB1421. He also asked if the department’s officers are under pressure because of nationwide incidents. Chief Kennedy stated these are challenging times for law enforcement because of news stations competing with social media which might make them release information that is incorrect. The department will continue to be transparent and protect privacy within the mandates of the law. CAC member Sablan asked if the SDG&E Park incident is closed. After the meeting at CAC member Cazares’ home, she invited the teacher to attend tonight’s meeting and/or share the information with other community members. She received no response and it appears he was satisfied with department procedures. CAC member Millican thanked CAC member Cazares for her due diligence and for opening her home to facilitate the meeting between the police and the community. CAC member de la Garza thanked Captain Sallee and CAC member Cazares for addressing the issue so quickly. He asked if there is a protocol on how soon an incident is reported to the City attorney. Chief Kennedy said it was addressed immediately. CAC member de la Garza asked how quickly the chief was informed since she was on a medical mission’s trip in Uganda. Chief Kennedy was informed immediately even though there was a time delay of 9 hours. DCA Trujillo gave Captain Sallee kudos for working on critical incidents protocol in advance, which helped with this incident. Well done on being prepared and getting information out to the community. CAC member Cazares encouraged all CAC members to be available to help the community and the department as a liaison. Captain Sallee also encouraged CAC in being vocal and reaching out through Facebook and other media in telling the complete story. CAC member de la Garza agreed that it is best to diffuse a situation as quickly as possible. CAC member Kingkade was concerned if there was a strong officer wellness program that is offered to the department personnel due to the stress and challenges faced on a daily basis. She would like to discuss how CAC can support and prevent potential issues in the future. The police department has a strong peer support program and a phenomenal chaplaincy program. 4. Discussion on process for nominating and selecting new members to the CAC The CAC bylaws were created last year which outlined the size of the committee (13 members) and the terms of office. Anyone from the public can submit a letter of interest; or CAC can make a recommendation, however, the chief will have the final authority when filling the vacancy. 6 The CAC information is on the CVPD website with past agendas and minutes. CAC member de la Garza suggested meeting in a library for more public interest. Captain Collum will review other alternative meeting places. CAC member Kingkade asked what the term limits are. Term of office is for two years with a maximum of five terms. In closing  Chief invited CAC to attend the 5/9/19 ARC ceremony honoring department heroes.  Evening with Heroes will be on 07/27/19  KUSI Morning Show will air a 6 minute live segment on CVPD on 3/16/19 CAC member Barros asked if CAC members can donate auction items, which they can. CAC Cazares will send out an email to members (singly due ensure Brown Act compliance) regarding purchasing a table like last year. CAC member Kingkade will be unable to attend next meeting scheduled in June and asked to table the Officer Wellness discussion. Chief Kennedy thanked the committee members and concluded the meeting at 7:00 PM. The next scheduled quarterly meeting is Thursday, June 6, 2019.