HomeMy Public PortalAbout2021-02-25 minutes 1
Public Safety Committee Meeting
Call to Order
The February 24, 2020, Public Safety Committee meeting convened virtually at 7:32 a.m. by
Councilman Graham.
Attendance
Present: Committee Members: Councilman Graham, Councilwoman Ward, Councilman
Vogt, Councilman Schreiber and Councilman Hussey.
Guests: Mayor Carrie Tergin, Councilman Mike Lester, City Administrator Steve
Crowell, City Attorney Ryan Moehlman, Fire Chief Matt Schofield, Police Chief
Roger Schroeder, Police Captain Eric Wilde, Planning and Protective Services
Planner Ahnna Nanoski, Jan Schumacher, Susan Randolph, NAACP President
Rod Chapel and Sue Gibson.
Approval of Minutes
Councilman Hussey made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2020 meeting.
Councilman Schreiber seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Discussion of Agenda Items
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Jefferson City Comprehensive Plan
Planner Ahnna Nanoski with the City's Department of Planning and Protective Services gave a
Power Point presentation of the Jefferson City Comprehensive Plan to the Committee. She
encouraged the Committee members to review the full plan on the City's website.
Police Department Radios
Chief Schroeder stated radios are the lifeline of the officers and the commu nity, and are top of
the department's needs priority list. The current portable radios do not have full interoperability
capabilities, which would allow officers to connect with other public safety agencies that operate
with the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN). The objective is for each of
the department's 90 officers to have their own portable radio with MOSWIN capabilities. The
department is in the process of acquiring 44 radios, with the plan to purchase the remaining 46
radios from Sales Tax H. Each radio costs approximately $4,800. Chief Schroeder advised
Captain Wilde, who was introduced, was delegated the task of researching portable radios for
purchase.
2
Councilman Graham asked about the purchase of in-car radios. Chief Schroeder advised in-car
radios were the second phase of radio replacement. However, the portable radios are most
important because the officers can communicate from outside of their patrol cars. The request for
funds for in-car radios would be submitted in Sales Tax H.
Fire Department Radios
Chief Schofield advised the Fire Department has portable radios, mobile radios in the vehicles,
and a radio system that includes 13 voter receiver sites around Jefferson City. The goal is to
acquire radios from the same famil y of radios (APX 8000 series) used by the Police Department.
The Fire Department is awaiting delivery of 22 APX 8000HE portable radios with sales tax
money, and needs to purchase 13 more to enable each firefighter to have their own radio. The
additional 13 radios will cost approximately $85,000. The radios purchased have a high-heat and
water resistant and therefore the cost is higher. They are purchased on State of Missouri bid
contract to keep costs down. These radios will enable the sharing of accessories and also the
potential to share programming and maintenance which would result in savings and efficiencies.
In answer to Councilman Graham's question regarding life expectancy of the radios, Chief
Schofield stated the life expectancy is determined by use. However, with each firefighter having
their own radio, he estimates them to have a longer life expectancy of approximately 10 years.
Officer-Involved Shooting
Chief Schroeder stated that many times officer-involved shootings end in litigation, sometimes
several years from the event so he would limit the details. He gave a brief description of the
incident. The Missouri Highway Patrol investigated the shooting and forwarded their findings to
the Cole County Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor found no fault with the officers' actions and
brought no charges. The officers were reinstated to duty approximately three and one-half weeks
after the shooting. The Police Department conducted their own internal civil investigation and
found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers.
Police Department Body Cameras
Chief Schroeder advised Captain Wilde was tasked with researching body cameras. This has
been a prominent subject for several years, but the cost has been prohibitive. The cost of body
cameras for the department would be approximately $400,000, most of which is for storage and
maintenance. It is Chief Schroeder's plan to acquire cameras incrementally, and advised he
would look to Sales Tax H for the purchase of body cameras, in -car cameras and interview room
cameras to integrate all three systems at one time.
Captain Wilde advised that integrating the camera systems would save money on maintenance
fees. There are many options, including on-premises storage and cloud storage, and he is looking
for one that would provide the best service for the money.
Councilman Hussey stated he appreciated the department's support for body cameras, and asked
what the time frame for implementation would be if the purchase was funded. Captain Wilde
advised there would be an RFP process, bid process, then the purchase and implementation. He
estimated it would take at least six to seven months to complete the process.
3
Chief Schroeder stated privacy laws concerning the body cameras are an issue. He has been
looking toward case law for guidance and that has not happened. There is an issue of protecting
the privacy of citizens that has not been clarified by the courts.
Chief Schroeder emphasized the amount to purchase body cameras, in-car cameras and interview
room cameras as an integrated system is approximately $1.2 million. Purchasing the three-prong
camera system is the most effective use of resources.
Councilman Graham opened up the meeting to questions from the public.
Susan Randolph asked if funds between $400,000 and $1.2 million were made available, how
would the Police Department proceed. Chief Schroeder advised that would be the decision of the
City Council. Councilman Hussey stated the $1.2 million would be staggered over years in Sales
Tax H. It would be a long-term commitment of funding approved by the City Council.
Sue Gibson stated in regard to the officer-involved shooting, when faced with the armed suspect
the officers could have retreated to their vehicles. She would feel better if the officers wore body
cameras. She asked for no response and none was given.
Rod Chapel, President of the local chapter of the NAACP, stated he feels body cameras are
necessary for the protection of officers and to maintain trust within the community. In terms of
ligation, the longer the City waits to purchase body cameras, the more they are putting public
funds at jeopardy.
Councilman Graham stated transparency is important, and he is supportive of body cameras.
Officer compensation is also a major concern. The department is losi ng veteran officers to other
agencies with higher pay. This erodes the trust within the community. Both issues need to be
addressed and will be discussed at the March 1 City Council meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Fire Department Update
Chief Schofield advised there have been four retirements within the Fire Department since
September 2020. Three of those vacancies have been filled with pre-certified firefighters. They
are expected to finish their on-the-job training in March.
Personnel have dealt with many cold weather related calls. They have been involved in ice
rescue training, monitoring the local ice jam, incident command and Hazardous Materials
training.
Police Department Updates
Chief Schroeder advised during the advent of cold weather and snow, some activities decrease
while others increase, leaving the volume of calls relatively the same.
The department's biggest issue is with staffing. Several officers have been injured, several have
retired and others have resigned. The department continues to recruit, but the interest in the
profession has decreased in the last five years, consistent with what is occurring on the national
level.
4
Councilman Graham thanked the members of both the Police and Fire Departments for their
efforts in keeping the public safe.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 25th. The goal is to hold an in-person meeting
in the Police Department's training room.
Adjourn
Councilman Hussey made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Ward. The meeting was adjourned by Councilman Graham at 8:41 a.m.