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Home My Public Portal About1992-11-23 LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD 1 ,i �,��i �r�"o��cer��r�t �,�i��a �o��d� Ciiy o! Lynwood 17330 Bullis Raad �� Lynwoad, CH 90262 I —� ��E�1�� cirvr� �..•rr��oo� � cir,� ��_-��._ �r�,c� I � F:�'� 1 1S��2 pM PE:i AGENDA 7�81�� illil2ili2i3i4i3i6 � � �r�2.c- November 23, 1992 C��U�-°�� City Council Chambers L�� 6:00 p.m. I. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS a. Ca11 to Order b. Pledge of Allegiance c. Roll Call d. Minutes - October 28, 1992 Regular Meeting II. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO THE ROLTS COMMISSION REPORT III. JOINT FORUM (LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD/CITY COUNCIL) - KOLTS COMMISSION REPORT ' IV. PUBLIC ORALS j V. BOARD MEMBERS' ORALS ' VI. ADJOURNMENT * Next Meeting - December 23, 1992 � ; i � � i � i � + • • • ; MINUTES LAW ENFORCEMENT REVZEW BOARD Meeting of October 28, 1992 The regular meeting of the Law Enforcement Review Board was held on October 29, 1992, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. (The agenda was duly posted as prescribed by the Brown Act.) The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Robert Downs. The pledge of allegiance was also held by Mr. Downs. Members in attendance were: Don Brantley, Elizabeth Dixon, Robert Downs, Hilario Esparza, and David Willis. Staff inembers in attendance were: Deborah Jackson and Pat Alvarez. Also present were: Mayor Pro Tem Paul H. Richards, and Sheriff's Department Captain Carole Freeman. A,pproval of Complaint/Commendation Forms A draft of a complaint/commendation form was distributed to board members, for their review and approval. By general consent, board members approved the said form, and they also made the following suggestions: The forms should be placed for distribution at city hall lobby and at the Sheriff's Department. Block Watch Captains should also be given a sample form, so that they can advise members of the community of the new form (but Block Watch Captains should not ' distribute the forms). ' Commission Forum - Kolts Commission Repor ' Mayor Pro Tem Paul Richards spoke on the Kolts Commission Report, � and asked board members to seriously consider and review the document. According to the report, Lynwood is involved in at least ' 18 incidents (page 27 of the Kolts Report). Mayor Pro Tem � Richards invited the board members to review the complaint i processing information on page 107 of the Kolts'Report. Mr. Richards announced that at the next Council Meeting, he will recommend that a joint hearing on the Kolts Report be held with the i Councilmembers and the Law Enforcement Review Board Members. Mr. I ' Richards stated that it has been over ninety days since the Kolts report was issued, and it is time to respond to it. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive community input and testimony on the Kolts report. It was moved by board member Elizabeth Dixon, seconded by Don Brantley, and approved by all board members to participate as a � board, along with the City Council, on the hearing relative to the , Kolts Report. � � � � � Law Enforcement Review Board Minutes of the October 28, 1992 Meeting Page 2 After approval from both the Law Enforcement Review Board and City Council, a date will be set for the joint hearing. Captain Freeman informed that the Sheriff's Department has developed its response to the Kolts Report, which addresses issues relative to the Lynwood area, the procedures of receiving and handling complaints, and other issues. The response, which is almost as big as the Kolts Report itself, was released to the press earlier today, October 28. Captain Freeman commented that in future meetings, she will update board members on complaints/commendations received, and their status. The information she has for this meeting is the following: - a commendation was received for one of their officers for helping a person reclaim a vehicle - a complaint was received on Alma Street regarding illegal shootings during the night - a complaint was received relative to an ex-employee who was accused of disclosing confidential information - a complaint was received regarding an improper vehicle stop by an officer - a commendation was received from a Diamond Bar High School principal for assistance provided by a Lynwood Sheriff's Deputy during an athletic program. - a commendation was received regarding an officer who"helped a ' lady cover her purse ' Captain Freeman commented that not all complaints are "action i complaints", but rather "process complaints", where a question is asked and an explanation, rather than an action, is required. , Mr. Downs asked Captain Freeman who determines whether a � complaint/commendation that is received is a legitimate one or ; whether it will be documented or not. Captain Freeman replied that � the Watch Commander receives all complaints/commendations, but it is not up to him or anyone else to decide if it is legitimate or � not. Rather, all complaints/ commendations are documented, a copy ! is given to the complainant as a receipt, then the investigation � process begins. Captain Freeman also mentioned that she reviews i all complaints and commendations received by the station. , Chairperson Downs commended the Sheriff's Department their high � level of responsiveness. Ms. Dixon asked Captain Freeman what length of time it takes to , investigate each complaint, to which Capt. Freeman replied that j just as the complaints received vary in complexity, there is no ; specific answer, but it depends on how involved the complaint is. i , , � � � Law Enforcement Review Board Minutes of the October 28, 1992 Meeting Page 3 However, the complainant is always kept informed of any developments on the investigation of their complaint. Ms. Dixon also asked if there is a specific schedule for officers, where they are assigned a certain area of the city and the residents can get to know them. Captain Freeman said that unfortunately, due to the level of activity; officers do not really have the time to chat with residents, although they are not discouraged from doing so, they.are very busy responding to calls and patrolling the streets. Ms. Dixon spoke on the Sheriff's lack of concern and sensitivity. Captain Freeman responded by saying that the Sheriff's Department cannot resolve any issues until specific information is provided, not generalizations. When a specific complaint is received, it is dealt with accordingly. Public Orals 1) Leticia Vasquez, from 3817 Walnut Street, presented the following complaint: On October 24, there was a party at her house, where there were approximately 25 persons. Sheriff's responded to complaints from neighbors and went to the location. After the officers were gone, the music got loud again. Sheriff's arrived at the house for the second time, i and at that time, Deputy Alvarado made a racial comment, he , referred to the group in the party as "minority assholes", � which was not taken lightly by any of the party guests. A i formal complaint was filed with the Sheriff's Department, ' however, she says she has not received any information ' relative to the investigation of her complaint. She also said ' in her opinion, the attitude of this single deputy reflects � the attitude of the Sheriff's Department. She is asking for � assistance from the Law Enforcement Review Board so that the � matter can be investigated. Mr. Downs assured Ms. Vasquez � that the board is concerned about her complaint, and asked her ' to fill out a complaint/commendation form, so that it can be routed through the proper channels. j Captain Freeman responded, saying that a eomplaint made by i Mrs. Smith two days ago, at the same address Ms. Vasquez is referring to. Lt. James Taylor took the information, and he ; is working on the investigation of the complaint. 2) Mr. Eugene Wilson, from 4013 woodland Avenue, commented on a � . complaint relative to a search warrant and breaking into his � house by the Sheriff's Department, said he just wanted to make � the board aware that his complaint is on file with the County ' of Los Angeles. i � i i , ,, � � Law Enforcement Review Board Minutes of the October 28, 1992 Meeting Page 4 Chairperson Downs asked Mr. Wilson to fill out a form for the board to keep in their files. Commissioners' Orals - David Willis asked if the community has been aware of the existence of the Law Enforcement Review Board. Deborah Jackson said that when the board was first formed, it was advertised in the local papers. More advertising will be made as the structure of the board gets more organized. - Deborah Jackson asked the board members whether complaints received from residents during the course of the business day, should wait and be heard by the Law Enforcement Review Board before forwarding complaint to the Council. Board member Dixon said that she feels that it would be the most appropriate course of action (to hear it before it goes to Council). - Mr. Downs said that even though the board is not an investigative body, it can be of great support to the citizens of the community by giving them the opportunity to voice their concerns. The board cannot take a position or make decisions, i but it can look into matters and make recommendations to the City Council. He also suggested advertising the LERB in the i local cable channel. i - Capt. Freeman also mentioned that the L.A. Times ran a story i on Columbus Day, in the Metro section. Ken Raich interviewed � her and she spoke on the Law Enforcement Review Board. � � Next meeting The next meeting of the Law Enforcement Review Board is scheduled I for Wednesday, November 25. Due to date falling a day before ! Thanksgiving, it was suqgested to change the meeting date for the month of November. Staff will look into rescheduling the meeting and will notify the board members of new date. ; There being no further business, it was moved by Chairperson Downs, � and seconded by E. Dixon to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. ' � I