Item B: Police Commission Annual Report

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commission. Police Commission did not return to this project in FY09. B. Committee Projects One of the most important Police Commission functions is to provide a forum for discussion on a numerous opportunities for community involvement in the co the eleven regular monthly police commission meetings, the commission sponsored four active committees during FY09: Policy Screening and Review; Universal Access; Public Outreach; and Use of Force. Policy Screening and Review Committee (PSRC) The first began in FY08 as a multi- year effort to assist the department in updating the police policy manual, utilizing the Lexipol structure as the framework for a comprehensive policy review process. In FY09 the PSRC screened and made recommendations on over a dozen policies. Some of the more noteworthy policies reviewed were Amber Alerts, Limited English Proficiency Services, Foot Pursuits, Medical Marijuana, and Child Safety. Committee Chair Juan Carlos Valle and Vice Chair Marilyn Nelson provided excellent leadership to the group while undertaking the challenge of assisting the department in a complete revision of its policy manual. Other members were Tamara Miller, Tim Mueller and John Ahlen. The Universal Access Committee (UAC) , originally titled Special Needs Populations, was charged with reviewing and making recommendations on policies that involve police interaction with people with disabilities and special needs. Members were: Tim Mueller, Chair; John Ahlen; and Jon Belcher. The UAC held panels with invited community members who were either consumers of, or specialists in, the area of disability services or consumer advocacy. Communication with People with Disabilities, Mental Health Crisis Response, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), and Service Animals. The work completed on both the Mental Health Crisis Response and CIT policies was instrumental in helping the police department develop a Crisis Intervention Team training program. The CIT program began in January 2009 and has been an essential component of police services and response to people in psychiatric crisis and members of the mental health community. The work done on the Service Animals policy was unique because the police department did not have an existing policy in this area. The UAC spent considerable time researching other agencies and speaking with experts in the field to ensure they helped to implement an effective policy. The Public Outreach Committee (POC) began its work in April. This committee will continue into FY10 and has a charge of better engaging and educating the public in the work of the police department and strengthening the community/police relationship. Chair Brooke Dodge, Tim Mueller, Juan Carlos Valle and Ann-Marie Lemire created a strategy plan for the POC which includes activities that are intended to bring a stronger community perspective to the Police Commission and police department. In FY09 the POC began the development of a community survey which will gauge areas of concern the public has with the police. Development of a brochure outlining the duties of the FY09 Police Commission Annual Report Page 3 of 7