C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, July 14, 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; Quincy Barr
- Absent:
- Derrick Gibbons
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:34 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Member Hendley prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Dr. Pinkie Hendley to excuse the absence of Member Gibbons.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Dr. Pinkie Hendley to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2022 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed
A.
Approval of Minutes from the June 9, 2022 Police Community Advisory Meeting.
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda or any concerns 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 or any concerns 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.
Unity in the Community.
Members reported that “Unity in our Community” was a great event. Staff Hobley-Burney expressed appreciation to members for their participation. Member Hendley shared a concern of changing the day of the event to the weekend to so that parents can attend. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that the event could not be held on the weekend because it was labor-intensive and would require the involvement of the staff. She said the event was extensively advertised among the Hispanic and Haitian communities but not many of them were in attendance.
Members were informed that an after-action meeting was arranged to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the event. Staff Hobley-Burney suggested that in the future a screen should be set up on the inside and outside so that attendees can see what is going on wherever they are located.
Members were informed that an after-action meeting was arranged to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the event. Staff Hobley-Burney suggested that in the future a screen should be set up on the inside and outside so that attendees can see what is going on wherever they are located.
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update.
Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the department’s budget was presented at the Commission Conference Agenda Meeting. She outlined that there were no changes made to the budget even though discussions were had with the City Commission on the needs of the department. She mentioned that nothing was discussed concerning the contract with Enterprise despite the concerns that were raised about the delays and cost to acquire vehicles for the department.
With regard to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department needs a succession plan because most of the experienced staff will be retiring. A proposal was made to restructure the department so that there would be two captains to address the gap between a lieutenant and deputy chief. To facilitate this restructuring, staff would be trained so that they can acquire the skills and abilities to do certain jobs. Also, a request was made for corporals to address the gap between an officer and a sergeant.
As it relates to officers’ salaries, Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the officers were in the right steps. She shared that the officers’ wage contract was current and that the upcoming contract will be signed in the next two months.
Member Hendley inquired if training was available through the police academy to move officers up the rank. Staff Hobley-Burney said no because the training that is available was only practical. She outlined that training is available through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) but the department would not have the budget to fund it. A request was made to the City Manager to engage retired officers who have specialized training to be reemployed so the department does not lose these skills.
Member Hayek shared his concerns about the issues raised by Staff Hobley-Burney. He encouraged members to do whatever they can to assist and requested information on the needs of the department. Staff Hobley-Burney will provide the information to the committee.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the committee of the recent Mock Accreditation Assessment that was conducted at the department. She shared that the assessment went well overall. However, the auditors provided guidance on how the department can better secure evidence which is currently being addressed.
With regard to staffing, Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the department needs a succession plan because most of the experienced staff will be retiring. A proposal was made to restructure the department so that there would be two captains to address the gap between a lieutenant and deputy chief. To facilitate this restructuring, staff would be trained so that they can acquire the skills and abilities to do certain jobs. Also, a request was made for corporals to address the gap between an officer and a sergeant.
As it relates to officers’ salaries, Staff Hobley-Burney stated that the officers were in the right steps. She shared that the officers’ wage contract was current and that the upcoming contract will be signed in the next two months.
Member Hendley inquired if training was available through the police academy to move officers up the rank. Staff Hobley-Burney said no because the training that is available was only practical. She outlined that training is available through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) but the department would not have the budget to fund it. A request was made to the City Manager to engage retired officers who have specialized training to be reemployed so the department does not lose these skills.
Member Hayek shared his concerns about the issues raised by Staff Hobley-Burney. He encouraged members to do whatever they can to assist and requested information on the needs of the department. Staff Hobley-Burney will provide the information to the committee.
Staff Hobley-Burney informed the committee of the recent Mock Accreditation Assessment that was conducted at the department. She shared that the assessment went well overall. However, the auditors provided guidance on how the department can better secure evidence which is currently being addressed.
B.
Upcoming Events.
Staff Braun shared how members can support the brick fundraiser for the Memorial Statue. Sergeant Fasanello is the point of contact for the fundraiser.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hendley said a letter was sent to Deputy Chief Ridle expressing appreciation for the police department’s support of the New Life Changing Information Resource Center’s fish fry.
With regard to upcoming events, Member Hayek informed members of the upcoming plans for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Fort Pierce Police Department and the Sunrise Theatre. Member Jones asked about the plans for National Night Out. The police department is working on a community event to celebrate National Night Out which will be on Tuesday. August 2, 2022.
As it relates to the community, Member Hendley wanted to know if members could obtain information on criminal activities that occur in the county. Staff Hobley-Burney will look into that. Also, Member Hendley shared her concerns about the movements in the community because of the high rent cost.
Member Hendley spoke about upcoming plans for members to be more visible in the community. She said the committee needed to have meetings so it can bridge the gap between the police department and the community. Member Hayek shared that members of the community are invited to the monthly committee meetings but are not attending. Member Jones agreed.
Member Hayek inquired about the community intervention that was presented at a recent committee meeting by the State Prosecutor’s office. Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the initiative was ongoing, and the Task Force has had to change their operating dynamics to make the program work.
With regard to upcoming events, Member Hayek informed members of the upcoming plans for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Fort Pierce Police Department and the Sunrise Theatre. Member Jones asked about the plans for National Night Out. The police department is working on a community event to celebrate National Night Out which will be on Tuesday. August 2, 2022.
As it relates to the community, Member Hendley wanted to know if members could obtain information on criminal activities that occur in the county. Staff Hobley-Burney will look into that. Also, Member Hendley shared her concerns about the movements in the community because of the high rent cost.
Member Hendley spoke about upcoming plans for members to be more visible in the community. She said the committee needed to have meetings so it can bridge the gap between the police department and the community. Member Hayek shared that members of the community are invited to the monthly committee meetings but are not attending. Member Jones agreed.
Member Hayek inquired about the community intervention that was presented at a recent committee meeting by the State Prosecutor’s office. Staff Hobley-Burney shared with members that the initiative was ongoing, and the Task Force has had to change their operating dynamics to make the program work.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 5:44 P.M
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr, Dr. Pinkie Hendley
Passed