Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOPCAB 2021-10-14 MinutesUKWILA POiLI�C„E DEPARTMENT COPCAB Minutes October 14, 2021 6:30pm — 8:OOpm Virtual Meeting Via Microsoft Teams Or call 253-292-9750 Conference ID: 526157821# Members present: Jay Stark, Tosh Sharp, Jan Bolerjack, John Lindsey, Roger Arnold, Katrina Dohn Staff present: Chief Eric Dreyer, Deputy Chief Eric Lund Guest: Niesha Fort -Brooks, Sean Greenlee • Approval of minutes: Meeting minutes approved • Chief's Update: Allan Ekberg, Mayor Eric Dreyer, Chief of Police 1. Staffing is the biggest challenge. a. 56 officers are available for deployment. 77 would be fully staffed. Down 21, which is 27% not available. b. In the last two days, eight have been out because of Covid. Four tested positive, and four were exposed. c. Command staff has been filling in on the streets. d. Hiring: One person is in background check, and there are three vacant positions. e. There are many lateral applications being vetted. f. Working with the equity committee to get community members to help with the hiring process. 2. Question about vaccine mandate a. 2/3 are not vaccinated. b. If the mandate is followed through on, this will have a great impact on the force. c. If officers are quarantined, the department provides administrative leave. d. If a non -vaccinated officer tests positive, they are out at least 10 days. e. If a vaccinated officer is exposed, no quarantine is required, but they must test two times. f. It is not considered an exposure if PPE and social distance are in place. g. If many officers are out, the function of the police force becomes just patrol. They must keep minimum staffing. h. A mutual aid request can be made if staffing falls below minimum staffing level. 15005 Tukwila International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688 i. No regular schedule of testing is dictated. It is only required if there is an exposure or symptoms. j. Question: Why do they not follow the same rules as state employees? Answer: Police are municipal employees, so follow Tukwila rules. • Equity Presentation Niesha Fort -Brooks presented the City of Tukwila Equity Policy. Details can be found in the posted Power Point presentation. • Graffiti 1. The issue on 42nd Ave. S is part of a larger issue. 2. They are taking an all -department approach. 3. Sergeant Zach Anderson is taking the lead. He is working together with Public Works and Parks departments. 4. The draft plan has 3 parts. a. Voucher program — Partner with paint supplier to provide paint to property owners needing to paint over graffiti on private property. b. Public Works is working on a Holds Harmless form so that owners can sign it to say it is okay for Public Works to remove the graffiti. c. City will engage with property owners for compliance. They will enforce if necessary, but as a last resort. It is difficult because the property owners are victims of a crime, but it then becomes a public nuisance. If they refuse help, Code Enforcement may have to become involved. A monetary penalty would be a true last resort. 5. This plan will start in the next few weeks. They will start by asking for voluntary compliance. • Community Survey 1. There is no data report this month because only one survey was completed in the month. 2. Officers do not appear to be handing out the cards and telling people about the survey. Chief will address this with the officers and reset expectations. 3. New cards with the new link are almost ready. 4. SPIDR Tech Program —This will automate the survey through cell phone and email automatic communication. • COPCAB By -Laws Review 1. Pg. 1, Item 8 — Do annual recognition and annual report? Have we done that? a. We are supposed to submit a report to the mayor, who then sends it to the City Council. b. COPCAB used to do an Officer of the Year recognition. i. Chief Dreyer would like to see that done again, as it would help morale. ii. Any criteria for the award? No. We can make it what we want. iii. The committee would then present the award at a City Council meeting. 2. Pg. 2 — Regular Meeting Place —This has the old address. Need to update it to the Justice Center address. 3. Pg. 2 — Quorum a. Quorum is defined as 5 or more members. b. Discussion was held as to the best criteria for defining quorum, and what the process would be to change the definition. c. Is quorum a set number of people, or half plus one of current membership? 15005 Tukwila International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688 d. Concerns about set number because not all COPCAB positions are filled, so it may be hard to meet a set number. e. Open positions need to be posted and the city needs to be pushed to fill the positions. 4. Distribution of Minutes a. Are they being posted? Yes, they are put on the website. Chief Dreyer will confirm with Phi that this is part of the regular process. 5. Election of a Vice -Chairperson of COPCAB a. Katrina Dohn was nominated to be Vice -Chairperson. Tosh Sharp seconded the motion. b. It was voted upon and passed. 6. Question about the possible need to add working about having the option to change meeting format to virtual. Does that need to be formalized in the by-laws? 7. Public Records — Discussion about remembering that any emails we send or receive are public records. • Old Business: None • Good of the Order 1. Jerry Thornton sends his regards. He is in good spirits and welcomes calls. 2. Question about hiring bonus: a. Hiring bonus has been upped from $5K to $10K. Half is paid on the first paycheck, and half after the probationary period. b. Question about our bonus being lower than other departments. Did that mean other city departments have bigger bonuses? Answer: No, this meant that other police departments in other cities have larger bonuses. c. Officers can now bring previous experience in order to start at a higher salary. 3. Question about an issue in an apartment complex — Chief Dreyer will talk to this person individually. 4. Line of new officers here from Mississippi? How did this happen? a. It started through marketing. One officer came, and we now have three from the same department in Mississippi. 5. SHAG Housing — How are things going there? a. They are seeing improvement. b. The complex is going through a change of on-site management. Police will work with the new management to set expectations and bring them up to speed on issues. c. The fire department is conduction fire and earthquake drills. d. Residents are happy with the response, as well as being happy about the new management. e. Vagrants entering the buildings have decreased. Residents have been educating each other about how to prevent that from happening. • Adjournment: Tosh Sharp moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 pm. It was seconded and approved, and the meeting was adjourned. Minutes taken by Katrina Dohn 15005 Tukwila International Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 • Phone (206) 433-1808 • Records Fax (206) 244-6181 Invest. Fax (206) 431-3688