Board of Police Commissioners

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Just about ready to get started, so stay tuned!

The meeting has been called to order, with the invocation performed by DPD chaplain Roy Hill

They don’t have a quorum, but they think they will soon. As a result they’re moving right into public comment

First commenter says they are being harassed by their building manager, who she says is a retired cop, and claims both he and his family are entering her home at will to harass her. Board suggests the commenter file a complaint with the BOPC, but points out they don’t handle criminal complaints

Next commenter urged people to stop killing one another, and urged parents to keep track of their children, claims they are “running amok” and “doing things we’re not used to in our city” such as shooting and hijacking

Minister Eric Blount denigrated the rewarding and honoring of police officers, and accused the board of being in the pocket of the police department, he further complains about the incompleteness of the HR report, and urged more transparency

Next commenter spoke of the case of her brother , and what she claims was the shoddy police work involved in her brother’s death. She claimed what the DPD called a “gunfight” was a one-sided murder of her brother.

In concluding her comment, she said that the shooter in question is a former DPD officer

Former Commissioner William M. Davis called in at once said the Board had a too friendly relationship with the department and said he believes a memorial for a fallen officer is nonetheless appropriate

A late entry has come in to comment in person they had a complaint about illegal dumping on his property.

He went on to say that he doesn’t know why police misconduct seems so difficult to accomplish. He also says the DPD acts a street gang that looks after their own, but treats citizens as subhuman.

He was brushed off and given no solid answer except that the 9th precinct will get back to them

On to the Chief investigator report. It was short and said basically there’s a new rule that will speed up cases. No details.

Roll was called and the following were present

Woods
Moore
Hernandez
Dewaelcsh
Smith
Burton

Comm’r Burton said he wants more candidates for an open administrator role. Comm’r Hernandez responded that the process identified the best candidate

The parliamentarian broke in and clarified that the present vote is to approve the agenda and this issue is appropriate at a later time.

Now the Board is honoring Retired Deputy Chief Mary Jarrett-Jackson

Motion for the memorial resolution passed

Deputy Chief Hayes, rather than Chief Bettison, is giving the chief of Police report

As is usual at this point , there were double digit reductions in violent crime YTD

Deputy Chief Hays reported an incident in which a shopkeeper who drew a gun at a customer and discharging it into the bulletproof glass in front of them. The business has been closed pending investigation. The business was also a green light participant, which is under review

The Department Chief also reports the department is cracking down on speeders and cars without plates

The board is moving on to the HR report.

Department is filled at 97%

Out of about 1,000 applicants, about 150 were hired

In response to a question from the board, HR says that if and when they reach 100% they will continue hiring due to a natural rate of attrition

Now going through various committee reports

Several directives proposed in a variety of important topics, being read by number and title, but not elaborated on. I’ll try to find them for you

The motion was carried

The board is going into closed session to consider giving out administrative leave without pay to an officer. I’ll let you know when they get back

The Board neglected to turn off the mics before beginning the closed session

In the meantime, they’re back and have chosen to take no action on the matter.

They turned off the camera for she reason, but they’re doing personnel interviews now. They seem to have very informative packets that the public does not have access to

So far it’s all pretty standard job interview questions. I’ll let you know if any of the questions or answers are noteworthy

The next candidate is Candace Roy for the same Administrative Specialist 3 position

We’ve got an unstable connection, and the audio is cutting in and out