Citizen Police Review Board

MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB CITIZEN POLICE REVIEW BOARD July 11, 2023 The Citizen Police Review Board (CPRB) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, convened on July 11, 2023, at the DeKalb Police Department, 700 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois. A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Maurice McDavid called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Board Secretary Melissa Neblock called the roll, and the following members of the CPRB were present: Justin Carlson, Maurice McDavid, Kate Noreiko, Andre Powell, and Veronica Origel. Others in attendance included Deputy Police Chief Jason Leverton. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION: Ms. Origel moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Powell. VOTE: Motion carried by a 5-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present. C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. June 8, 2023 MOTION: Ms. Origel moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Mr. Carlson. VOTE: Motion carried by a 4-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present. Ms. Noreiko abstained from the vote due to not being present at that meeting. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Jessica Webb stated that she was worried about the communication between the Police Department and the public. She would like a quicker response time from the Police Department to citizens who reach out for information. She stated that she reached out to the Police Department in September about an incident, then again in October and then again in November without a call back. She would like make sure that communication is prioritized. E. CHAIRMAN UPDATE Mr. McDavid noted that the board would take steps to improve communication issue that was brought forward during public participation. He also took a moment to welcome Andre Powell as the new board member. Mr. McDavid brought to the board information regarding a conference taking place in Chicago in November for Police Review Board by the National Association of Police Review Boards. He stressed the importance of attending this conference to have outside training and information. Mr. Carlson said he would be interested in attending and Mr. McDavid said he would look into the conference. Ms. Noreiko feels that attending that training will help with the legitimacy of the board and Mr. McDavid said it will help the board with transparency. Citizen Police Review Board Minutes July 11, 2023 Page 2 of 4 F. CASE REVIEW 1. 23CPRB07 Mr. McDavid gave a brief statement to Mr. Powell about how the board reads the complaint in open session and then decide whether to take the case. Ms. Neblock commented that 23CPRB07 and 23CPRB08 belonged to the same person, for the same officers, on the same date, and about the same police interaction. Mr. McDavid explained to Mr. Powell that the board’s stance has been to accept all complaints that have come in for review. Brief discussion ensued regarding the contents of the complaint. The board unanimously decided to take the case at this time. 2. 23CPRB08 Mr. McDavid suggested that the board review 23CPRB07 and 23CPRB08 together as they were from the same person about the same incident. 3. 23CPRB09 Mr. McDavid asked the board to review complaint 23CPRB09. The board then took the time to read the complaint that was submitted by the complainant. Mr. McDavid said that if any complaints come in and the box is checked that the person felt that it was racially motivated that it was worthwhile for the board to further review in closed session. The board unanimously decided to take the case at this time. 4. 23CPRB10 Mr. McDavid asked the board to review complaint 23CPRB10. Mr. McDavid informed the board that this was the same person whose case was reviewed at the last meeting and that he thought this complaint came in before the summary of the board’s decision was sent to her. He said it was basically the same complaint, he reached out after this new complaint and the person responded with “thank you, that gives me some closure and helps me understand how to move forward”. Mr. McDavid said he suggested the board not review this case since it was basically the same case, there would be no new items to view, and she responded to the summary of the last case review. Brief discussion ensued regarding the contents of the complaint. The board unanimously decided not to take the case at this time. Mr. McDavid said he would reach out to the complaint to let her know that this complaint would not be reviewed due to it being a duplicate. G. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chair Maurice McDavid read the following Executive Session exemption title in its entirety: 1. The consideration of performance and/or discipline of employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Citizen Police Review Board Minutes July 11, 2023 Page 3 of 4 2. The consideration of security procedures, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, staff, the public, or public property Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(2)(c)(8). MOTION: Ms. Noreiko moved to recess for Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Powell. VOTE: Motion carried by a 5-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Justin Carlson, Maurice McDavid, Kate Noreiko, Andre Powell, and Veronica Origel. Nay: None. Chair Maurice McDavid declared the motion passed and recessed the meeting at 6:27 p.m. Following adjournment of the Executive Session, Chair Maurice McDavid opened the meeting to the public at 8:20 p.m. H. DECISION 1. 23CPRB07/23CPRB08 Mr. McDavid stated that the board reviewed the case. Mr. McDavid suggested that the board review 23CPRB07 and 23CPRB08 together as they were from the same person about the same incident. 23CPRB08 was no decision. The board took a vote on if the complaint was founded or unfounded regarding: Policy: Biased Enforcement 103.4, I. Officer Conduct and Responsibilities, F. Officers shall treat every person with courtesy and respect. An officer shall provide his/her name, badge number whenever a motorist or passenger requests such information. An officer will inform every motorist or pedestrian the reason why they were stopped following initial contact with the person: VOTE: McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Carlson: Unfounded, Ms. Origel: Unfounded, Ms. Noreiko: Unfounded, Mr. Powell: Unfounded. The board’s decision was that the complaint was unfounded. The board took a vote on if the complaint was founded or unfounded regarding: Policy: Traffic Enforcement 403.2, II. Enforcement Options and Officer Discretion, B. Officers are expected to enforce traffic law appropriately, fairly, and maintain a professional and courteous climate with violators: VOTE: McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Carlson: Unfounded, Ms. Origel: Unfounded, Ms. Noreiko: Unfounded, Mr. Powell: Unfounded. The board’s decision was that the complaint was unfounded. 2. 23CPRB09 Mr. McDavid stated that the board reviewed the case. The board took a vote on if the complaint was founded or unfounded regarding: Citizen Police Review Board Minutes July 11, 2023 Page 4 of 4 Policy: Biased Enforcement 103.4, I. Officer Conduct and Responsibilities, F. Officers shall treat every person with courtesy and respect. An officer shall provide his/her name, badge number whenever a motorist or passenger requests such information. An officer will inform every motorist or pedestrian the reason why they were stopped following initial contact with the person: VOTE: McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Carlson: Unfounded, Ms. Origel: Unfounded, Ms. Noreiko: Unfounded, Mr. Powell: Unfounded. The board’s decision was that the complaint was unfounded. The board took a vote on if the complaint was founded or unfounded regarding: Policy: Traffic Enforcement 403.2, II. Enforcement Options and Officer Discretion, B. Officers are expected to enforce traffic law appropriately, fairly, and maintain a professional and courteous climate with violators: VOTE: McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Carlson: Unfounded, Ms. Origel: Unfounded, Ms. Noreiko: Unfounded, Mr. Powell: Unfounded. The board’s decision was that the complaint was unfounded. I. APPROVAL RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES 1. 06/08/2023 The board decided to not release the Executive Session Minutes. MOTION: Mr. Carlson moved to not release the minutes; seconded by Ms. Origel. VOTE: Motion carried by a 4-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present. Ms. Noreiko abstained from the vote due to not being present at that meeting. J. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Mr. McDavid stated the board is scheduled to meet on August 10th. He also asked that a policy review be added to the next agenda so that the board could look at the Biased Enforcement Policy and any others to suggest changes. K. Adjournment MOTION: Ms. Noreiko moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Powell. VOTE: Motion carried by a 5-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present. Chair McDavid adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted, __________________________________________ Melissa Neblock, Board Secretary Approved: 08/10/2023