HomeMy Public PortalAboutA1993-08-25 LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARDjLaW (Enforcement Rebirbi 33oarb
City of Lynwood g�
11330 Bullis Road R E C E IV E® I
Lynwood, CA 90262 CITY OF LYNW000
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
AUG 17 1993
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AGENDA g1 A10010411213141516
LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD
August 25, 1993
City Council Chambers
6:00 p.m.
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I. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Roll Call
d. Minutes - July 28, 1993 Joint Co /Board Meeting
II. PUBLIC ORALS
III. BOARD MEMBERS' ORALS
IV. ADJOURNMENT
*Next Meeting - September 22, 1993
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11
MINUTES
JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL /LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD
Meeting of July 28, 1993
6:00 P.M.
A joint meeting of the City Council /Law Enforcement Review Board
was held on July 28, 1993, in the City Hall Council Chambers. (The
agenda was duly posted as prescribed by the Brown Act )
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by board member Robert
Downs.
The pledge of allegiance was conducted by Hilario Esparza
Members in attendance were Don Brantley, Elizabeth Dixon, Robert
Downs, Hilario Esparza, and David Willis.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Richards, Councilman Byrd, and
Councilman Heine.
Staff members in attendance Deborah Jackson and Pat Alvarez.
• Also present was Lt Wilson from Lynwood Sheriff's Department
The minutes of the June 23, 1993 regular meeting were approved as
distributed
Public Orals
- Emma Esparza, 10914 Ruth St., Lynwood inquired about report on
Rea, and whether it was going to be discussed at this meeting
or not. Mr Downs responded that the report was submitted to
the Law Enforcement Review Board at their last meeting, but it
was for informational purposes only. The board does not have
any authority to act on it in any way, therefore, she was
referred to the City Council.
Rules and Responsibilities
Deborah Jackson introduced this item by explaining that the board
. members have been concerned about not being clear on their
responsibilities and authority as a board.
Law Enforcement Review Board
• July 28, 1993
Page 2
Mayor Richards recommended that the board not only schedule joint
meetings with the City Council, but also hold periodic open
hearings concerning issues like: the board's general operations,
the Kolts report, etc. Mr. Richards suggested to invite high level
ranking officials to these hearings to make public presentations.
Mayor Richards also suggested to communicate with complainants by:
a. Sending them a letter advising them that the board has
received their complaint and forwarded it to the Sheriff's
Department and to the City Council, and that the board will
keep them informed of the disposition of their complaint.
Also,
b. Send a follow up letter advising complainant that the matter
has come to a conclusion, and thanking them for their concern.
(Also attach response letter from the Sheriff's Department).
It was also recommended by Mayor Richards to generate quarterly
comprehensive reports concerning the number, nature, disposition,
and /or status of complaints /commendations received by the board
(and referred to the Sheriff's Department). It was unanimously
approved by all board members to generate quarterly reports from
. the Law Enforcement Review Board to the City Council, effective
immediately. The quarterly comprehensive reports should include
copies of "receipt of complaint letters" and "follow -up letters"
mailed to complainants.
Elizabeth Dixon spoke on the need for the community to know that
this board exists. Deborah Jackson responded that advertisement
has been made through the newspaper. Mayor Richards suggested to:
a) Send a direct mailing from the City (Manager), or b) Create a
newsletter focusing on the Law Enforcement Review Board, in order
to get the word out to Lynwood residents that the Law Enforcement
Review Board is in place, and to encourage them to contact the
board with good comments and /or complaints as it relates to Law
Enforcement services in the city
Robert Downs expressed his concern regarding the fact that the
process of review of complaints goes to the Sheriff's Department.
Said the board has not contributed to the disposition part of the
process
Councilman Heine stated that all complaints he has received have
been resolved.
Mr. Downs stated that Long Beach does quarterly reports with
statistics and they also discuss results of Internal Affairs
• investigations in closed session (right to privacy).
Law Enforcement Review Board
• July 28, 1993
Page 3
David Willis stated that Long Beach's commission has an
investigator who reports his findings to the commission.
Mayor Richards responded that that option does not exist in the
City of Lynwood. Said the reason Long Beach can do that is because
they have an independent Police Department. Councilman Heine
stated that due to liability issues, this board could not be given
the authority to investigate cases. Robert Downs feels the board
should be able to provide input relative to the complaint review
process Mr. Downs inquired about residents not being satisfied
with Sheriff's resolution to their complaint Mayor Richards
responded that even though there are cases like that, the city is
not in a position to be an auditor for those cases.
Robert Downs spoke on people not coming forward with complaints due
to them being intimidated by the Sheriff's Department.
Councilman Byrd inquired about the use of two different complaint
forms (one from the board and one from the Sheriff's Department).
Deborah Jackson stated that at the last meeting, it had been
decided to use only the Sheriff's complaint forms
• Mayor Richards suggested that the board formalize requests by
submitting them in writing to the City Council.
Mr. Downs asked that copies of the response letters that are sent
to complainants, also be sent to the board members He suggested
that Council look into the possibility of the board being an
investigative review body. Mayor Richards expressed his concern
for the use of the term "investigative ", as it tends to send mixed
signals Mr. Downs further explained that it is the board's desire
to enhance their review process Concilman Heine spoke on the size
and financial differences between Long Beach and Lynwood, and how
that affects the way law enforcement review processes are dealt
with Elizabeth Dixon spoke on utilizing volunteer persons rather
than paid employees to work with the community
Mayor Richards spoke on the possibility of new partnership
arrangements between the cities of Lynwood and South Gate whereby
Lynwood would provide fire services, and South Gate would provide
law enforcement services.
Board Member's Orals
• - Robert Downs thanked Mayor and Councilmembers present for
their participation in today's meeting.
Law Enforcement Review Board
• July 28, 1993
Page 4
Elizabeth Dixon suggested to set up a joint session with the
City Council and Sheriff's Department. Staff to invite
Captain Freeman (and /or a representative from the Sheriff's
Department),I along with Councilmembers to discuss the
direction of the Law Enforcement Review Board. Meeting set
for Wednesday, August 25, 1993 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers. ,
- David Willis thanked Councilmembers for their interest to
communicate and work with the Law Enforcement Review Board
Public Orals
Lt. Wilson, from the Lynwood Sheriff's Department, spoke on
their investigative process. He also stated that their
department produces quarterly discipline reports Councilman
Heine asked if it would be appropriate for board members to
• receive a copy of that report Lt. Wilson feels that through
an educational process regarding their procedures, persons'
comfort level can be increased.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p m
to the August 25, 1993 regular meeting.
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