Police Commission Meeting - Tuesday, October 27th , 2020 @ 6:00 pm (Tuesday, October 27, 2020)
Generated by Shannon Trammell on Monday, November 2, 2020
 
 

 

Members Present

Jabulani Gamache, Shireen Hart, Randall Harp, Melo Grant, Kerin Durfee, Stephanie Seguino

Yuol Herjok joined at 6:17pm 

 

Others Present

Shannon Trammell, Acting Chief Jon Murad, Deputy Chief Sullivan, Kyle Dodson, and Acting Deputy Chief Wade Labrecque

 

Counsel Present 

Joy Hovestadt

 

 

1. Agenda

 

 

1.01 Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:03pm

 

1.02 Roll Call and Determination of Quorum

Quorum met

 

1.03 Additions or Modifications to Agenda

 

Motion made by Jabulani Gamache, seconded by Stephanie Seguino to add discussion on S.124 to the agenda as item 5.06.  

Final Resolution: Motion passes

Aye:  Jabulani Gamache, Stephanie Seguino, Shireen Hart, Melo Grant, Randall Harp, Kerin Durfee

Absent: Yuol Herjok

 

2. Commission Actions

 

2.01 Approve the Minutes from 9/29/2020
 
Motion made by Randall Harp, seconded by Jabulani Gamache to approve the mintues from 9/29/2020 as posted. 
Final Resolution:  Motion Passes
Aye: Jabulani Gamache, Randall Harp, Shireen Hart, Melo Grant, Kerin Durfee
Abstain: Stephanie Seguino

 

3. Public Forum

 

3.01 The Public is invited to speak regarding issues of interest for the Commissions consideration
 
The Commission heard from the following people: 
Lee Morrigan

 

4. Chief's Report

 

4.01 Chief's Report
 

In the 27 days since the last meeting on Tue September 29, 2020 (9/29 to 10/26), there have been:

 

1,821 calls for service

21 assaults, 4 of them aggravated—i.e., felonious

4 sex assaults

1 robbery

169 suspicious events

73 noise complaints

86 vehicle crashes (36 LSAs; 5 crashes w/ injury)

63 disturbances

70 traffic

40 foot patrols

50 threats / harassment

45 domestic incidents (42 domestic disturbance, 2 D/V felonies)

2 fireworks

7 overdoses

5 untimely deaths

 

Emergency Staffing happens at sworn staffing at 80.  
 

 

5. Commission Actions

 

5.01 Parking Update from DPW
 
Jeff Pagett from Department of Public Works presented to the Commission an update on transitioning and moving the parking division at BPD to DPW.  
 
5.02 Update Department Directive DD02.02 (Grooming Standards, Uniforms, Equipment, Inspections & Use of Tobacco Products)
 
Motion made by Shireen Hart, seconded by Kerin Durfee to adopt the proposed changes as amended to DD02.02 as distributed. 
Final Resolution:  Motion Passes
Aye: Shireen Hart, Kerin Durfee, Randall Harp, Jabulani Gamache, Melo Grant, Yuol Herjok, Stephanie Seguino
 
5.03  Discussion on City Council Resolution Asks from Mtg on 9/8/2020
 
Requested to review and analyze impediments to stronger discipline measures involving excessive force.
Shireen Hart has been working on a draft, and is not yet finalized.  She hopes to have it circulated soon, for voting on at the November meeting.  So it can be presented to City Council by the end of November. 
 
The Commission discussed Open Meeting Law Rules with Joy Hovestadt on circulating documents and making edits.
 
5.04 Discussion on the Mayor's Press Conference Items
 
Regarding police misconduct.  Jabulani Gamache has reached out to a few people.  Jabulani Gamache stated he would have a draft to the Commission within the next week for feedback in the November meeting.  

 

5.05 Body Worn Camera Footage Release Policy
 
The BPD stated it supports releasing all body cam footage unredacted.  It is less labor intensive and provides the transparency the public is asking for. 
 
Kerin Durfee suggested adding into the Memorandum the Mayor suggested, so the public is aware, that the Police Commission is allowed to view any body camera footage at any time.  There are several State Legislative policies in the works around the Police Departments.  
 
Kyle Dodson suggested the Commission finalize a Policy/Proposal and include the tools/personnel needs/costs associated with implementing that policy.    
Concern was raised by Randall Harp on releasing all footage unredacted, for privacy issues. 

DC Sullivan clarified that legally there is no expectation of privacy in public places, for instance anyone can view the cameras on Church Street at any time.  But that the home, has the highest expectation of privacy.  Chief Murad clarified that aside from what the public requests, The BPD's current directive states that no officer is allowed to turn their body camera off if requested to do so, but that the footage of specific incidents (juvenile, domestic abuse, etc) are protected by law and cannot be released, but in no circumstance is an officer allowed to turn their camera off.  
 
Chair Gamache suggested Kerin Durfee continue with final draft of policy.  Chair Gamache would entertain a special meeting to review the policy.  
Kerin Durfee asked the Commission to send a recap of their thoughts from tonight to clarify for her to finalize the policy.  
 
 
5.06 Discussion on S.124

 

Amended Agenda Item. 


Questions raised about if/how S.124 affects the work the Commission is doing, and also how the BPD is implementing/adapting to S.124

 

The BPD is working to be in compliance with some of the requirements and data reporting in S.124.  

 

 

6. Commendations
Commission Clerk had none to report
 

 

7. Commissioner Updates / Comments
 
Randall Harp asked the Chief to provide update on Election Day preparedness. 
 
Melo Grant expressed her desire to get more information to the community.  She expressed desire for the community to hear more about what the Department is doing on a regular basis.  
 
8. Other Business
 
8.01 Next Meeting Agenda Items
 
Next Meeting, Tuesday, November 17th at 6:00pm
  • Community Communication
  • Approve Memo on City Council Resolution Asks from 9/8/2020
  • Approve Memo on the Mayor's Press Conference Items (Policy to release information to the public)
  • Approve Body Worn Camera Footage Release Policy / Memo / Decision
  • S.119
 
9. Executive Session
9.01 Executive Session (as required)
 
Motion made by Randall Harp, seconded by Jabulani Gamache to enter Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing citizen complaints and personnel matters. 
Final Resolution:  Motion Passes
Aye:  Randall Harp, Jabulani Gamache, Shireen Hart, Melo Grant, Stephanie Seguino, Kerin Durfee, Yuol Herjok
 
The Commission entered Executive Session at 8:35pm
 
Motion made by Jabulani Gamache, seconded by Randall Harp to exit Executive Session. 
Final Resolution:  Motion Passes
Aye:  Randall Harp, Jabulani Gamache, Shireen Hart, Melo Grant, Stephanie Seguino, Kerin Durfee, Yuol Herjok
 
The Commission exited Execuitve Session at 9:09 pm

 

10. Adjournment

 

10.01 Motion to Adjourn
 
Motion made by Randall Harp, seconded by Jabulani Gamache, to adjourn the meeting. 
Final Resolution:  Motion Passes
Aye:  Randall Harp, Shireen Hart, Jabulani Gamache, Melo Grant, Stephanie Seguino, Kerin Durfee, Yuol Herjok
 
The meeting adjourned at 9:10pm