Item B: Civilian Review Board Annual Report

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2009 Overview In 2009 the Board performed eight case reviews including the first Community Impact Case Throughout first eight months of the year, the Board monitored the status of the Community Impact case through the criminal proceedings and IA investigation. February – Board training from Dr. David Murphy (Western Oregon University) on excessive force and the use of Tasers. March – Dr. Snell Fontus joins the Board. A case review was conducted regarding issues of an unlawful arrest and an illegal search. The Board majority concurred with the Police Auditor’s recommended adjudication to sustain the allegations. Acting police auditor Dawn Reynolds was placed on administrative leave by the Council. April – A Case review conducted regarding use of force/use of the Taser. Specifically, the case involved the use of a Taser on a mentally ill person. Unanimously, the Board concurred with the Auditor’s recommendation that the allegations be sustained. The review highlighted the need for refinement of the Taser policy with regard to its usage on people who are mentally ill and/or appear to be experiencing a psychotic episode. May – Tim Laue is appointed to the Board. A case review held regarding use of force/use of the Taser. The board majority voted in agreement with the Auditor’s recommendation to sustain the allegations on use of force, and concurred with the recommendation and decision that the use of the Taser was within Policy. Mark Gissiner was hired by the Council as the new Police Auditor. June – A case was reviewed regarding use of force. The review also raised policy issues of when officers should be required to seek medical attention for persons injured during arrest. The majority of the Board agreed with the Chief’s decision that the use of force was within Policy. July – Mark Gissiner attends his first Civilian Review Board meeting. The case reviewed pertained to wrongful arrest, excessive force and courtesy allegations. The Review raised issues regarding the police department “party policy” – how loud parties should be dispersed while protecting the civil rights of individuals. August – Bernadette Conover and Marisa Mendoza join the Board. The case reviewed pertained to constitutional rights, and courtesy involving a late night stop the complainant alleged to be discriminatory in nature. The Board majority agreed with the findings that the actions were within Policy.