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Home My WebLink AboutCOPCAB 2021-06-10 Agenda PacketCOPCAB Agenda June 10, 2021 6:30pm — 8:OOpm Virtual Meeting Via Microsoft Teams 253-292-9750 Conference ID: 526157821# 1. Approval of 5/13/21 minutes 2. Chief's updates 3. Community survey 4. Good of the order Allan Ekberg, Mayor Eric Dreyer, Chief of Police 15005 Tukwila International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688 COPCAB Minutes May 13, 2021 6:30pm — 8:OOpm Virtual Meeting Via Microsoft Teams 253-292-9750 Conference ID: 526157821# Members present: Jan Bolerjack, Katrina Dohn, Jay Stark, John Lindsey, Tosh Sharp, Staff present: Chief Eric Drever, Deputy Chief Eric Lund Guest: Terri Bates from League of Women Voters of Seattle Allan Ekberg, Mayor Eric Dreyer, Chief of Police • Approval of minutes: The minutes of both March and April meetings were approved. • Chief Update: o Update on former Chief Linton — He is doing great, loves retirement and came to a retirement ceremony today for another officer. o Staffing: ✓ Currently down four commissioned officers One did not pass background, and one did not pass field training. ✓ Using a balanced approach of entry versus lateral — more longevity with entry. ✓ Have a large contingency of laterals from other states. They like new facility! ✓ New sergeant — Civil service list — the process will be done late June. ✓ Working on a part-time clerical staff for Emergency Manager ✓ Posting commander position since Eric Lund moved to Deputy Chief. ✓ Next week — Civil Service meeting- permission to make provisional appointment at Commander until hiring of a permanent person. ✓ Cops Grant — goal of backfilling lost positions, seven frozen positions — liaison is one — CPT liaison officer o Requires 25% match — pays 75%. o Paid by grant for 3 years, police is then required to maintain it o Being looked at by a financial analyst o Shooting at the mall: ✓ Still working on leads ✓ Seems to be associated with other shootings in the region, possibly retaliation. ✓ Checking to see if it is gang -related. ✓ Recovered the gun. ✓ Was a targeted shooting, not random active shooter. ✓ Met with mall management to debrief. o Communication was a challenge — Radio Repeater, frequency was blocked o Ended up using phone communication which is not effective, because the other signal can be blocked in mall dead spots. This was supposed to be fixed months ago. Contractor is working on wiring, testing, putting in new repeater. This is required by business permit. 15005 Tukwila International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688 o Mall recommitted to taking care of this o City paid overtime for officers as backup — mall is reimbursing. A//an Ekberg, Mayor Eric Drever, Chief of Police • Other: o Next Monday is Police Officer Memorial Day honoring officers fallen in the line of duty. Mayor is making a proclamation. o Tukwila and Valley agencies are working on legislative reform. Bills passed are requiring changes to policy and processes. ✓ Will be meeting on the 19th with attorneys and other chiefs about how to respond and implement with consistency amongst Valley agencies ✓ Need to train officers on new policies and requirements. • Community Interaction o 37th Ave S — Emphasis area in Cascade View neighborhood ✓ Have had a month-long traffic emphasis ✓ Will put the speed display there ✓ Met last night about a possible Blockwatch ✓ The group expressed concern about officers not being available and engaged ✓ Had already met to talk about how to engage — say hello, wave, get out and talk to folks ✓ Crime rate and calls down in the last year and a half • Officer Valdez — working with homeless population o Helping find permanent housing for folks living around bridges o Vacant lot dwellers are offered resources o Public Works — working with the city to safely clear encampments ✓ Authorized to bring in a company to clean until further agreement is reached ✓ Need to clean up unhealthy sites • Meeting with Foster High School students and Nate Robinson on May 7 o Students had asked to talk with the new chief and have a Q and A session o SRO —12 kids from one class talked — none had concerns about law enforcement in schools o Their biggest ask was to just listen to them o Their perception is that officers assume they are up to no good. They want sincere engagement and to be given feedback and have questions answered. They want to be treated like adults. o The students were very polite and engaged. The teacher was inspirational and empowered the kids. They will have more meetings in the future. o Chief Drever also reached out to Superintendent Herndon. They are working on opportunities to speak with kids and families and do a survey about law enforcement in schools. • Justice Center — looking into making the conference rooms at the Emergency Operations Center available for public use. One possible option is tutoring during the summer. • Comments o Bravo for bringing in outside talent to the force — sergeant search o Policy for officer vaccinations? ✓ No policy. Can't mandate vaccination. Can't ask if officers are vaccinated. Have to trust them or mandate masks. 15005 Tukwi/a International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688 A//an Ekberg, Mayor Eric Drever, Chief of Police o What about officer gear and uniforms? Who chooses the color? Can it be changed? ✓ The chief selects with approval of mayor. Dark blue/black provides safety. It blends in in many situations. They do put on reflective gear when doing traffic duty. ✓ Who determines what is on their body? • The department does. There is department policy. They are carrying their equipment for access. Comment was made that based on the meeting of the previous night, maybe they wear too much. • Deputy Chief Lund explained that they carry 25 pounds of gear on their hips. It is tiring and hard on the body. The vest is designed to shift the weight while still being accessible. In an encounter he had with someone on the freeway, he was glad he had his gear readily accessible. • A member expressed concern that officers need to soften their image and that the gain in trust outweighs the inconvenience of having to take time to get their gear. Deputy Lund responded that it takes time in a time of need to get gear, and that can be a challenge. • Days Inn — Lots of drugs, stolen cars, etc. Officers must have their gear immediately accessible. Chief Drever said that officer need to be properly equipped in the community but that they can explore ways to minimize the overall effect. He will reach out to other agencies and explore best practices, how they are addressing the issue. o Community Survey ✓ There was a setback. The cards were printed, but it was discovered that the QR code didn't lead to the survey. New ones should be in next week. ✓ Phi has had translation done and is working with the equity committee to get vetting to ensure proper translation. ✓ We are 2-3 weeks out on completion and then it should go live. o Ride Along ✓ What is the policy? • Must have no felony convictions, have a background check and have officers available. • With things opening up from Covid, there are more openings for ride-alongs. • Chief Drever will send us the policy. • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 pm. 15005 Tukwi/a International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688