C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, February 11, 2021 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, Commission Chambers, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek; Dr. Pinkie Hendley; Derrick Gibbons; Quincy Barr
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Sergeant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:44 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 Melvin Jones, Sr. to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2020 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
A.
Approval of Minutes from the January 14, 2021 Police Community Advisory 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.
None.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Members were informed by Staff Hobley-Burney that the department’s monthly update will be shared with the City Commission as well as the community. Recommendations from committee members are welcomed.
With regards to the department’s budget, Staff Hobley-Burney reported that it was cut by approximately $160,000. Discussions will be had with the City Manager and Finance Director about the implications of this reduction on the operations of the department. Staff Hobley-Burney explained to members that financing several key items such as the provision of smart phones and body worn cameras (BWC) to officers will be very difficult. She expressed concerns about some of the decisions that have impacted the department’s management of its budget. Of note was the city’s decision to purchase vehicles from the department’s 2019 budget, even though the cars were not received until October 2020.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department is in dire need of an attorney-at-law with experience in police arbitration. Member Hayek enquired about the legal support that the City Attorney provides to the department. Staff Hobley-Burney pointed out that the process to get support from the City Attorney was time-consuming, especially for urgent matters. Member Jones asked how the department was being supported by the State Attorney on legal matters. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the State Attorney assists the department with search warrants and homicide cases. Members expressed their support for a full-time attorney to be assigned to the police department.
Member Hendley encouraged members to highlight the challenges the department face with their individual Commissioners, in light of the expansion of the city and the budget shortfall. Member Hayek also reminded members of the right they have to express themselves in writing to Commissioners, and encouraged them to use that available medium.
The Committee was briefed on the discussions that took place at the recent Conference Agenda Meeting around the adoption of a civil citation for marijuana offenses. Staff Hobley-Burney shared with the Commission that the department do not arrest individuals who are caught with under 20 grams of marijuana. She pointed out that for an ordinance to be adopted, an administrator would have to be in place as well as someone with the responsibility to collect funds. She indicated that the police department could not take on those roles. Since no one was being arrested for under 20 grams of marijuana, and the documentation mechanism was in place to record whatever is ceased, the Commission agreed to forego the adoption of a civil citation program until further notice.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members of an internal investigation where an officer was found to be in violation of the department’s code of conduct. The officer was found to be discourteous in responding to the public. The officer was taken off the streets during the investigation. Following the investigation, the officer was given 3 days suspension without pay, will have to go through six months of probation, will be monitored monthly, and was mandated to go through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Member Jones asked if additional training was recommended for the officer. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes.
With regards to the department’s budget, Staff Hobley-Burney reported that it was cut by approximately $160,000. Discussions will be had with the City Manager and Finance Director about the implications of this reduction on the operations of the department. Staff Hobley-Burney explained to members that financing several key items such as the provision of smart phones and body worn cameras (BWC) to officers will be very difficult. She expressed concerns about some of the decisions that have impacted the department’s management of its budget. Of note was the city’s decision to purchase vehicles from the department’s 2019 budget, even though the cars were not received until October 2020.
Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the department is in dire need of an attorney-at-law with experience in police arbitration. Member Hayek enquired about the legal support that the City Attorney provides to the department. Staff Hobley-Burney pointed out that the process to get support from the City Attorney was time-consuming, especially for urgent matters. Member Jones asked how the department was being supported by the State Attorney on legal matters. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the State Attorney assists the department with search warrants and homicide cases. Members expressed their support for a full-time attorney to be assigned to the police department.
Member Hendley encouraged members to highlight the challenges the department face with their individual Commissioners, in light of the expansion of the city and the budget shortfall. Member Hayek also reminded members of the right they have to express themselves in writing to Commissioners, and encouraged them to use that available medium.
The Committee was briefed on the discussions that took place at the recent Conference Agenda Meeting around the adoption of a civil citation for marijuana offenses. Staff Hobley-Burney shared with the Commission that the department do not arrest individuals who are caught with under 20 grams of marijuana. She pointed out that for an ordinance to be adopted, an administrator would have to be in place as well as someone with the responsibility to collect funds. She indicated that the police department could not take on those roles. Since no one was being arrested for under 20 grams of marijuana, and the documentation mechanism was in place to record whatever is ceased, the Commission agreed to forego the adoption of a civil citation program until further notice.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members of an internal investigation where an officer was found to be in violation of the department’s code of conduct. The officer was found to be discourteous in responding to the public. The officer was taken off the streets during the investigation. Following the investigation, the officer was given 3 days suspension without pay, will have to go through six months of probation, will be monitored monthly, and was mandated to go through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Member Jones asked if additional training was recommended for the officer. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes.
B.
Upcomming Events.
There were no upcoming events since a number of events have had to be placed on hold, due to the pandemic.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the Department has a new Public Affairs Manager who will work with Committee members to highlight the work that they do.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Members expressed their appreciation for the positive recognition that is being highlighted on the department’s Facebook page. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that members will be notified of these events so they can participate when necessary.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Dr. Pinkie Hendley to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 pm.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed