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 10, 2022 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek; Dr. Pinkie Hendley; Derrick Gibbons; Quincy Barr
- Staff Present:
-
- Deputy Chief of Police Kenny Horris
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:36 pm.
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Staff Norris prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the January 13, 2022 Police Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2022 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
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.
As a follow-up to the City Commission’s recommendation to administer the community survey at local churches, Member Hayek inquired of Member Hendley how this could be facilitated. Member Hendley shared that church leaders would have to be contacted.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Staff Norris informed members that calls for service have been steady. He said the police officers were out on the streets. He commended the officers for their hard work, and noted the substantial decrease in the homicide rate. Staff Braun shared that the department was in the process of implementing its new Taser system.
With regard to community engagement, members were informed that the department plans to resume Courageous Kids so that the staff can socialize with the children and their families. Staff Norris reported that the RICH House is opened. Member Hayek shared that Courageous Kids was a great initiative, and would love to see a resumption of this community outreach.
Member Gibbons asked if the department was considering hosting another Citizen’s Academy. Staff Braun said yes. Staff Norris shared that the Citizen’s Academy allows residents to understand more about the police department, and what the officers do on a daily basis. Member Hendley said that police ride-alongs are important, and that she has encouraged residents to participate in them. Member Gibbons said that he wished more residents understood the entirety of the work that the officers do, and shared how the Citizen’s Academy would allow residents to access this information.
Member Hayek shared that it would be good to have the District Prosecuting Attorney’s opinion on matters of justice. He inquired about the working relationship between the police department and the State Attorney. Staff Braun reported that both entities shared a good working relationship. Member Gibbons asked how the Prosecuting Attorney works with the police department regarding new case law. Staff Braun shared how the information is received, and that the Fort Pierce Police Department was the only agency that has requested information on all dropped cases.
As it relates to officers being briefed on new case law, Member Jones asked how this was being done. Staff Braun shared that officers can gain access to these cases through the Police Law Institute.
With regard to community engagement, members were informed that the department plans to resume Courageous Kids so that the staff can socialize with the children and their families. Staff Norris reported that the RICH House is opened. Member Hayek shared that Courageous Kids was a great initiative, and would love to see a resumption of this community outreach.
Member Gibbons asked if the department was considering hosting another Citizen’s Academy. Staff Braun said yes. Staff Norris shared that the Citizen’s Academy allows residents to understand more about the police department, and what the officers do on a daily basis. Member Hendley said that police ride-alongs are important, and that she has encouraged residents to participate in them. Member Gibbons said that he wished more residents understood the entirety of the work that the officers do, and shared how the Citizen’s Academy would allow residents to access this information.
Member Hayek shared that it would be good to have the District Prosecuting Attorney’s opinion on matters of justice. He inquired about the working relationship between the police department and the State Attorney. Staff Braun reported that both entities shared a good working relationship. Member Gibbons asked how the Prosecuting Attorney works with the police department regarding new case law. Staff Braun shared how the information is received, and that the Fort Pierce Police Department was the only agency that has requested information on all dropped cases.
As it relates to officers being briefed on new case law, Member Jones asked how this was being done. Staff Braun shared that officers can gain access to these cases through the Police Law Institute.
B.
Upcoming Events.
With regard to upcoming events, Staff Norris shared with members that on the 15th of February, there will be an unveiling of the 1715 Fleet Spanish Cannon in Fort Pierce.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Braun informed members that Officer Spotts was being recognized as Law Enforcement Officer of the Day at the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Gibbons commended the officers for their dedication to hosting Roll Call meetings on Orange Avenue. He also shared that the department’s Swearing-In Ceremony was great, and that it was good to see the involvement of the officers’ family members.
Member Hendley informed members that officers from the police department have been participating in the gang violence activities that were being planned by the New Life Community Center. She said a suggestion was made for the officers to casually meet with residents in the community to build trust.
As it relates to the activation of the body worn camera (BWC), Member Hendley inquired if officers are required to activate their cameras for all incidences. Staff Norris informed members that officers are required to activate their camera but shared examples of situations that it might not be possible. Staff Braun provided information that showed that in 2021, officers activated their BWCs in 106,000 incidences. Member Hendley asked if the public can request BWC records. Staff Braun shared the procedure for requesting these recordings based on public records guidelines. He shared that once a case is closed, residents can access all recordings for that incident.
Member Hayek asked about the use of new technologies, such as the voice activated BWC from Axon, and the virtual goggles. Staff Norris said that these new technologies are important and will assist the department in our crime prevention initiatives. With regard to the use of the virtual goggles, Staff Braun shared that the department was utilizing it. Member Gibbons shared his concerns about technological advances, and the consequences for the law.
Member Hendley inquired about the availability of grant funds to assist residents to install cameras. A discussion followed on how beneficial it would be to get funding for such an initiative. Member Jones shared how effective RING videos have been in solving crimes. Also, Member Gibbons outlined that residents can also work together by sharing RING videos. Staff Norris concurred and pointed out that the videos provide critical evidence that the police department needs to solve cases.
Member Hendley informed members that officers from the police department have been participating in the gang violence activities that were being planned by the New Life Community Center. She said a suggestion was made for the officers to casually meet with residents in the community to build trust.
As it relates to the activation of the body worn camera (BWC), Member Hendley inquired if officers are required to activate their cameras for all incidences. Staff Norris informed members that officers are required to activate their camera but shared examples of situations that it might not be possible. Staff Braun provided information that showed that in 2021, officers activated their BWCs in 106,000 incidences. Member Hendley asked if the public can request BWC records. Staff Braun shared the procedure for requesting these recordings based on public records guidelines. He shared that once a case is closed, residents can access all recordings for that incident.
Member Hayek asked about the use of new technologies, such as the voice activated BWC from Axon, and the virtual goggles. Staff Norris said that these new technologies are important and will assist the department in our crime prevention initiatives. With regard to the use of the virtual goggles, Staff Braun shared that the department was utilizing it. Member Gibbons shared his concerns about technological advances, and the consequences for the law.
Member Hendley inquired about the availability of grant funds to assist residents to install cameras. A discussion followed on how beneficial it would be to get funding for such an initiative. Member Jones shared how effective RING videos have been in solving crimes. Also, Member Gibbons outlined that residents can also work together by sharing RING videos. Staff Norris concurred and pointed out that the videos provide critical evidence that the police department needs to solve cases.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed