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 9, 2023 - 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; Bruce Murray; Betty Bradwell; Quincy Barr
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Sergeant Diego Palacio
- Officer Steven Sobon
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:35 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Pinkie Hendley prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Member Hayek welcomed Member Bradwell to her first Committee meeting.
5.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2023.
Motion was made by Quincy Barr, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2023 meeting.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed
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.
Pastor Pinkie Hendley invited members to a community event entitled “Chat and Chew” to be held every 4th Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. at the New Life Resource Information Center on Avenue D. Pastor Hendley shared that the purpose of the event is to strengthen the relationship with the police and residents.
7.
OLD BUSINESS
A.
None
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update
Staff Braun informed the Committee that one of the ways the department has been building its training capacity is through virtual reality learning. Through this system, officers are trained how to handle varied scenarios that require their appropriate intervention. The system allows training instructors to objectively assess the officer’s response for improved outcomes.
With regard to facilitating these trainings, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the Roll Call Room is equipped with new technologies so that training can be conducted in a welcoming and learning environment. She thanked the City for the support to acquire the necessary training tools for the officers.
Members were informed that the department is using an updated AXON system which allows the department to map the location of each officer. Supervisors can use the system to live stream and provide support to their squads as needed. With the use of in-car videos, live streaming can also take place into the officers’ vehicles.
To demonstrate how the virtual reality system works, Officer Sobon provided an overview of some of the scenario-based trainings that are available. Sergeant Palacio informed members that given the nature of the trainings, officers are not allowed to use their guns in the sessions. Tasers are allowed but white cartridges are used that cannot be fired.
Member Jones inquired about the scenarios that are used and whether they were generated in-house. Sergeant Palacio shared that the scenarios are provided by Axon.
Staff Braun provided information to members about the department’s tag reader system and how quickly officers can access information. He shared that an internal verification process is in place so officers can double check the information that is provided by the tag reader system.
As it relates to the operation of the drone, plans are in place to establish a Drone Unit. The department has 7 officers who are trained as drone operators and another 6 officers are slated to be trained.
Member Jones inquired about the usage of the drone. Staff Braun outlined that the drone can be used for search and rescue as well as the monitoring of an area for command staff supervision. Member Barr asked about the 5-mile rule for operating the drone near an airport. Staff Braun in response said the department is aware of the rule.
Member Barr got an opportunity to role-play the virtual reality training system. He said it felt real. Given the nature of the training, Sergeant Sobon informed members that it is not recommended for officers to do more than 30 minutes of training. One of the advantages of the system is that it can be used to provide remedial training for officers.
With regard to facilitating these trainings, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the Roll Call Room is equipped with new technologies so that training can be conducted in a welcoming and learning environment. She thanked the City for the support to acquire the necessary training tools for the officers.
Members were informed that the department is using an updated AXON system which allows the department to map the location of each officer. Supervisors can use the system to live stream and provide support to their squads as needed. With the use of in-car videos, live streaming can also take place into the officers’ vehicles.
To demonstrate how the virtual reality system works, Officer Sobon provided an overview of some of the scenario-based trainings that are available. Sergeant Palacio informed members that given the nature of the trainings, officers are not allowed to use their guns in the sessions. Tasers are allowed but white cartridges are used that cannot be fired.
Member Jones inquired about the scenarios that are used and whether they were generated in-house. Sergeant Palacio shared that the scenarios are provided by Axon.
Staff Braun provided information to members about the department’s tag reader system and how quickly officers can access information. He shared that an internal verification process is in place so officers can double check the information that is provided by the tag reader system.
As it relates to the operation of the drone, plans are in place to establish a Drone Unit. The department has 7 officers who are trained as drone operators and another 6 officers are slated to be trained.
Member Jones inquired about the usage of the drone. Staff Braun outlined that the drone can be used for search and rescue as well as the monitoring of an area for command staff supervision. Member Barr asked about the 5-mile rule for operating the drone near an airport. Staff Braun in response said the department is aware of the rule.
Member Barr got an opportunity to role-play the virtual reality training system. He said it felt real. Given the nature of the training, Sergeant Sobon informed members that it is not recommended for officers to do more than 30 minutes of training. One of the advantages of the system is that it can be used to provide remedial training for officers.
B.
Upcoming Events
The Police Department will be hosting a Tip a Cop event at Applebee’s on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 5:00 P.M.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney asked if members were receiving the department’s media alerts. Member Murray said no. Staff Braun will be the department’s point of contact to have this done.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hayek provided information about the department’s Centennial Celebration to include a Commemoration Service on the 21st of March, a Reception for staff on 25th of March, and a Back the Blue Event on the 22nd of April. A flyer of the events will be sent to members.
On the 4th of March, Pioneer Park will get a facelift. Member Murray shared that the City selected the park. Staff Hobley-Burney told members that there have been complaints about the homeless at the park and that without an ordinance it will be challenging to do any form of enforcement.
On the 4th of March, Pioneer Park will get a facelift. Member Murray shared that the City selected the park. Staff Hobley-Burney told members that there have been complaints about the homeless at the park and that without an ordinance it will be challenging to do any form of enforcement.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Quincy Barr to adjourn the meeting at 6:16 P.M.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr., Quincy Barr
Passed