C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, August 13, 2020 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, City Commission Chambers, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Derrick Gibbons; Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek; Dr. Pinkie Hendley
- Absent:
- James Edwards
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Sergeant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:41 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Member Hendley prayed
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Dr. Pinkie Hendley to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2020 and July 9, 2020 meetings.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
A.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from the July 1, 2020 and July 9, 2020 meeting.
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Board will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Board will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
None.
7.
OLD BUSINESS
A.
PCAC Community Survey distribution (tabled from July 9, 2020 meeting).
Member Gibbons reported that contact was made with Joe Sweat and that the City Manager has to approve the placement of the survey on the City’s website. Contact with Mr. Mimms will be made by Member Gibbons.
Member Hendley queried if the survey can also be paper-based since there may be persons who do not have online access. The issue of trust was discussed as well as the need for personnel to analyze the paper-based survey.To avoid conflict of interest concerns, Member Gibbons indicated that external personnel would be prudent. Member Hendley said the request for personnel should be made to the City.
With regards to the survey questions, Staff Hobley-Burney said an emphasis on the support that is needed for the community was critical. A review of the survey resulted in the removal of the questions on race, education and occupation. It was also suggested that a question on residency should be added. Also, the final section of the survey should include a slot for suggestions.
Member Hendley queried if the survey can also be paper-based since there may be persons who do not have online access. The issue of trust was discussed as well as the need for personnel to analyze the paper-based survey.To avoid conflict of interest concerns, Member Gibbons indicated that external personnel would be prudent. Member Hendley said the request for personnel should be made to the City.
With regards to the survey questions, Staff Hobley-Burney said an emphasis on the support that is needed for the community was critical. A review of the survey resulted in the removal of the questions on race, education and occupation. It was also suggested that a question on residency should be added. Also, the final section of the survey should include a slot for suggestions.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Staff Hobley-Burney advised members that their term on the Committee will expire on September 3, 2020, and that they should communicate their availability to serve another term to their respective Commissioner or Mayor. A discussion on the issues that have impacted the Committee’s proposed plans during the term included the length of training and the inability to organize community meetings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With regards to staffing, members were informed that there were five (5) openings, six (6) new hires and three (3) officers who are going through the Field Training Officer Program. The new officers will be sworn in at the Department on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 11:00 am.
Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that due to the budget cuts, there has been a freeze on the hiring of support staff and that the Department lost three (3) positions. As a result, a number of adjustments have been made in an attempt to manage the affairs of Department. She outlined that the officers will be placed in their correct steps on the 1st of October which would be a major accomplishment.
As it relates to the grant from the Department of Justice, it was pointed out to members that the grant was not accepted to hire ten (10) new officers because of the budget cuts and the City was not in a position to match the grant by the 25 per cent which is required.
Staff Hobley-Burney said eight (8) of the ten (10) officers were slated to be placed in the Lincoln Park area. With the annexation of the city, it becomes challenging to provide coverage due to the need for more officers. She indicated that once the County is aware that an annexation was effected, no coverage would be provided. Member Jones suggested that the annexation of the City of Fort Pierce should be a matter to be discussed with members’ sponsors, due to the challenge faced by the police department to provide coverage.
With regards to policy, Member Hendley enquired if the department had one for arresting juveniles. Reference was made to a news item in which a student was handcuffed by officers. In response, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department has a Juvenile Policy, and that officers are trained to deescalate as much as possible to avoid arresting juveniles. Intervention strategies such as interviewing both parent and child can also be used. Member Jones indicated that training on how to deescalate is critical but sometimes depending on the situation one has to use common sense to reach to a solution. Staff Braun will send members the Juvenile Policy for review.
Member Gibbons asked how policies are changed in the department. Staff Hobley-Burney explained the process. Staff Braun highlighted that policy changes follow the minimum required acceptable standards outlined by the accreditation body.
With the increased number of Covid-19 cases, the Department has mandated that masks be worn by officers once they go out to serve the public. Member Hendley asked if Officers were required to go to the homes of persons with the virus. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that residents are hesitant to allow officers inside their homes. However, once the officers go out they have to protect themselves since they are called upon to serve the public.
Reference was made to the Back the Blue Parade which was held on Saturday where over four hundred persons participated in support of the police. Congressman Brian Mast was in attendance.
With regards to staffing, members were informed that there were five (5) openings, six (6) new hires and three (3) officers who are going through the Field Training Officer Program. The new officers will be sworn in at the Department on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 11:00 am.
Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that due to the budget cuts, there has been a freeze on the hiring of support staff and that the Department lost three (3) positions. As a result, a number of adjustments have been made in an attempt to manage the affairs of Department. She outlined that the officers will be placed in their correct steps on the 1st of October which would be a major accomplishment.
As it relates to the grant from the Department of Justice, it was pointed out to members that the grant was not accepted to hire ten (10) new officers because of the budget cuts and the City was not in a position to match the grant by the 25 per cent which is required.
Staff Hobley-Burney said eight (8) of the ten (10) officers were slated to be placed in the Lincoln Park area. With the annexation of the city, it becomes challenging to provide coverage due to the need for more officers. She indicated that once the County is aware that an annexation was effected, no coverage would be provided. Member Jones suggested that the annexation of the City of Fort Pierce should be a matter to be discussed with members’ sponsors, due to the challenge faced by the police department to provide coverage.
With regards to policy, Member Hendley enquired if the department had one for arresting juveniles. Reference was made to a news item in which a student was handcuffed by officers. In response, Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department has a Juvenile Policy, and that officers are trained to deescalate as much as possible to avoid arresting juveniles. Intervention strategies such as interviewing both parent and child can also be used. Member Jones indicated that training on how to deescalate is critical but sometimes depending on the situation one has to use common sense to reach to a solution. Staff Braun will send members the Juvenile Policy for review.
Member Gibbons asked how policies are changed in the department. Staff Hobley-Burney explained the process. Staff Braun highlighted that policy changes follow the minimum required acceptable standards outlined by the accreditation body.
With the increased number of Covid-19 cases, the Department has mandated that masks be worn by officers once they go out to serve the public. Member Hendley asked if Officers were required to go to the homes of persons with the virus. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that residents are hesitant to allow officers inside their homes. However, once the officers go out they have to protect themselves since they are called upon to serve the public.
Reference was made to the Back the Blue Parade which was held on Saturday where over four hundred persons participated in support of the police. Congressman Brian Mast was in attendance.
B.
Marijuana Decriminalization Presentation.
Staff Hobley-Burney advised members that a request was received from the City Manager regarding the Committee’s recommendation for the decriminalization of marijuana for possible consideration of amending the Code of Ordinances. The request is a follow-up of the July 6, 2020 City Commission meeting which will be an agenda item. A discussion on the request followed and it was agreed that the matter will be placed on the next meeting of the Committee which was scheduled for September 10, 2020.
A request for the existing Ordinance was made by Member Hayek as well as contact to be made to the New Leadership Society inviting them to the next Committee meeting. Staff Braun will send members the Ordinance for review.
A request for the existing Ordinance was made by Member Hayek as well as contact to be made to the New Leadership Society inviting them to the next Committee meeting. Staff Braun will send members the Ordinance for review.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney introduced her Executive Assistant, Jasmine Robinson to the Committee.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
With regards to the Conference Agenda Meeting, Member Jones apologized for his absence as well as Member Hendley. Member Hayek was commended for his presentation to the Commission.
Member Hendley thanked the police department for allowing Officers Avilla and Smith to participate in the community camp. She said the Officers did a great job, and that overall the camp was excellent.
For upcoming events, Member Hendley informed members of the follow-up meeting for the Circle of Prayer which will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 6 p.m. She said the youths will be participating and that the emphasis of the meeting will be on what is being done.
Also, Member Jones outlined that there will be a back to school event on Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 9:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Member Hayek encouraged members to be advocates for the police department, and to speak to their respective Commissioners so they can be aware of the department’s needs.
Member Hendley thanked the police department for allowing Officers Avilla and Smith to participate in the community camp. She said the Officers did a great job, and that overall the camp was excellent.
For upcoming events, Member Hendley informed members of the follow-up meeting for the Circle of Prayer which will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 6 p.m. She said the youths will be participating and that the emphasis of the meeting will be on what is being done.
Also, Member Jones outlined that there will be a back to school event on Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 9:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Member Hayek encouraged members to be advocates for the police department, and to speak to their respective Commissioners so they can be aware of the department’s needs.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to adjourn the meeting at 6:18 pm.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed