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HomeMy WebLinkAbout081298 rm min M1 CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD Minutes Wednesday, August 12, 1998 7:00 P.M. City Commission Conference Room PRESENT: Linda Kuhn, Richard Huber, Tom Carpenter, Dean Ray, Rev. Ricky Scott, Paul Legge, David Johnson, Police Chief Joe Dillard, Deputy Police Chief Dennis Whitmire, Mayor Larry Dale and Gracy Posley This meeting was called to order by Vice- Chairperson Mrs. Kuhn. Mrs. Kuhn welcomed new CAB member W. David Johnson. Mr. Johnson introduced himself to CAB and Board members introduced themselves to Mr. Johnson. Mrs. Kuhn requested approval of CAB minutes for July 8, 1998 if there are no changes or corrections. Motioned by Mr. Legge, seconded by Mr. Huber, motion adopted for the minutes to be approved. Mr. Legge and Mrs. Kuhn stated to Police Chief Dillard they had not heard from him re them providing public relation briefings to Sanford police officers per the Police Chief's acceptance at the CAB meeting of July 8, 1998. It appeared each party was waiting to hear from the other. Mr. Legge stated he would contact Police Chief Dillard re a public relations schedule, which would be done 15 minutes prior to the shift beginning. Rev. Scott asked what would public relations entail? Mr. Legge advised there have been complaints from citizens re the manner in which police officers handle calls. This matter brought about public relation briefings being offered to police officers. Mrs. Kuhn stated public relations will give the officers cues and guidelines in possessing a better demeanor with the public. Mrs. Kuhn stated perception to the public is everything, although it may not always be the reality of what can be done. Mrs. Kuhn commented there are often times when officers can explain things in more detail to a citizen, so the citizen can walk away with a better understanding as to why law enforcement cannot do what the citizen wants done. Mrs. Kuhn welcomed Mayor Dale to the meeting. Mrs. Kuhn stated to Mayor Dale CAB is aware we are an advisory board, but what is CAB to be advising, what are CAB's do's and don'ts pertaining to the police department? Mayor Dale explained CAB was created as an advisory board relating to past police department matters. Mayor Dale suggested CAB find new grounds for CAB to be more effective. As police liaison, Mayor Dale stated he would seek attending more CAB meetings. And possibly the Chairperson could give a quarterly report to the City Commission. Mayor Dale stated the public has to be educated about the Citizen's Advisory Board. Mr. Legge stated the Seminole Herald can be contacted re the "My Word" column for CAB advertisement. Mayor Dale commented re CAB's question of being involved in the Arthur Bames case. Stated it would have been inappropriate legally because of the F.O.P. Bargaining Unit agreement and legal challenges involved. Mayor Dale mentioned this grievance procedure applies to all disciplinary actions, rather Bargaining Unit or Civil Service. Mayor Dale stated CAB has to respond to the citizens needs and CAB should get the citizens input; get more citizens involved. CAB can be a "think tink". Mr. Legge ask should the CAB ordinance be re- visited? Mayor Dale responds, for now re- visited among CAB members. Mayor Dale stated Sanford (oldest city in Seminole County) has dilemmas other cities in our area do not have to handle. Mayor Dale commented he is pleasantly surprised with law enforcement improvements on CAB Minutes August 12, 1998 Page 2 of 3 W. 13th St. The police department teamed up with and received assistance from the Sheriff's Office for the west side and their will be a joint district office on W. 13th St. Similar situations, such as this, is where CAB can get citizens input. CAB can assist in cross - training the citizens and police officers on ways of communicating appropriately. Mayor Dale stated police officers need praise as well as discipline. Mayor Dale mentioned the idea of the police department having a full -time public./community relations specialist that could attend CAB meetings regularly. This person would meet with homeowner groups, crime watch groups, citizen groups being the liaison for CAB and alliance for citizens and the police department; to assist in solving citizen complaints. Mr. Legge commented to Police Chief Dillard image is 99.9% how the police department is perceived. Mr. Legge mentioned a group of police officers being at restaurant(s) around 6 am; this image looks bad to the public. Possibly one shift is getting off duty and another coming on duty, but the image is not valuable. Mr. Legge stated he has heard police officer conversations in restaurants inappropriate in the public. Cmdr Bronson stated police officers are not permitted to congregate at the restaurants, because of the inexact image perceived. Cmdr Bronson commented Administration constantly talk to the police officers of examples they set to children and citizens. Mrs. Kuhn commented officers in uniform are held to a higher standard in the eye of the public. Also stated citizens should not have to call the Sheriff's Department to have call(s) resolved. Stated the citizens outlook is to not call the police department, they're not going to do anything, they don't care. Mayor Dale commented officers attitudes must be polite and forthright. Officers are on -duty 24 hours even when out of uniform. Citizens want to feel they are cared for. Mr. Carpenter stated a professional community /public relations person is needed for police. Mayor Dale, one is needed on a full -time basis. Mrs. Kuhn stated Mr. Hubler (PAS) advised the police department lacked training. Mrs. Kuhn commented training need to be regular. Cmdr Bronson stated the PAS training issue was responded to immediately and training has progressed. Deputy Police Chief Whitmire stated training is a function of budget regardless of who you has to do the training. Deputy Police Chief Whitmire explained a candid training procedure that could be used, but presently Sanford Police Department does not have the funds for continual training, but training is progressive. Mr. Johnson asked what has been budgeted for the police department? Mayor Dales advises two additional community service officers have been hired, (4) officers from the COPS grant to be hired (community policing), and an office assistant has been recommended for Police/Administration. Cost to hire a full time public relations officer (sworn) would be approximately $44,000. (salary, vehicle, etc. included), civilian would be approximately $35,000. Police Chief Dillard suggested to recommend to the Mayor /City Commission to have the Commander's position effective October 1998 due to retirement, to be replaced by one public relations officer and one regular police officer position. This method was used in September 1997 upon retirement of one other commander. Motioned by Mr. Carpenter, seconded by Mr. Huber, motion adopted for Police Chief Dillard to request to the Mayor /City Commission the upcoming commander's opening be replaced with a public relations officer and one regular police officer position. Vice - Chairperson Kuhn will forward a memo to Police Chief Dillard displaying CAB's support in hiring a full time public relations officer. Mr. Legge encountered an incident at the police department during after 5 PM hours. The receptionist leaves at 5 PM, there is a telephone left on the counter for citizens needing CAB Minutes August 12, 1998 Page 3 of 3 assistance. Inadvertently, the telephone was not left at the counter during this time. Cmdr Bronson has advised the receptionist to ensure the telephone is left at the counter for use. Mr. Legge also suggested the police department lobby need to be more user friendly. Cmdr Bronson advised the Police Chief is working on this project at the present time. Mr. Legge asked Police Chief Dillard what is the status of Citizens on Patrol? Police Chief Dillard responded nothing has been done as of yet. Mrs. Kuhn advised she thinks the Sheriff's Office got their citizens patrol vehicles thru a grant. Mr. Legge will contact the Sheriff re this matter. Cmdr Bronson distributed a door -to -door survey re Academy Manor (Bethune Cir. /Academy Ave.) - "NO PARKING" signs. The survey revealed out of 100 homes surveyed, 43 - for signs, 26 - against signs, 12 - no opinion and 19 - no answer. This survey was in regards to CAB member Mrs. Campbell inquiring (at July 8 meeting) to Police Chief Dillard as to why the signs had not been removed. Mr. Legge was impressed with a follow -up call he received from the police department re vandalism to his vehicle. Deputy Police Whitmire advised Mr. Legge community service officers will be assisting police with follow -up calls to victims. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. I',