Regular Board Meeting of October 20th, 2022
To see a recording of this meeting, go to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbTkxcH8SQYccMC5DxTrKCwDuwaine Boscoe gave a staff report.
- The number of reports received is 206 of which 185 contain complaints of misconduct. Ninety of those have been assigned for investigations. The next batch of notifications to the Rochester Police Department (RPD) will be sent tomorrow.
- RPD training continues next week. This week’s training covered criminal investigation divisions, bomb squad as well as other areas.
- The Operations Group created an on-boarding portfolio for new employees. Interviews are on-going for approved positions in the Case Management Division.
- The Case Management Division is in phase 4 of the i-Site development. This involves obtaining feedback and fixing issues. A new launch date has not been determined.
- Public Affairs is supporting the Policy Division by co-faciliatating disciplinary matrix input from the community. Input from RPD or the Locust Club has not been received to date. The deadline for input is the end of the year. The data transparency policy is open for public comment until the 26th of this month. Usability testing of a new website, which is expected to launch in December, is underway. PAB will announce a new intake phone number and ads are being created to communicate this change with the public. PAB marketing items have been updated as well and will be distributed to partner locations, such as libraries and community centers.
- An Internal Task Force is being formed and Reverand Nickoloff will be a member. The Task Force is expected to meet in the coming weeks.
- Information has been received from RPD on previous requests but secondary requests are being made to obtain more information. PAB requests are being sent to the RPD liasion who gathers data but then the file goes to the law department for their approval.
- Some investigations are moving forward with interviewing witnesses to obtain additional information. The required timeframe for completion of a case is 18 months from the date of occurrence. However, this timeframe may be extended in the case of criminal activity. In some cases, reports have expired because the occurrence happened several years ago.
- October 31st is the anticipated date for the end of the investigation into allegations concerning Executive Director Reynolds.
- PAB can present information to community groups and is happy to receive input.
- The PAB staff expressed an interest in unionizing. There is a process for them to go through and the Chair is in full support of this effort. Other Board members were in agreement.
- It is imperative to give staff the support they need to do their work in upholding the rights of all city residents. This is the primary focus of PAB.
- The Training report was given by Rabbi Setel. The open meetings law training is scheduled for next week. A few weeks are being left open to allow for flexibility for possible upcoming training. Following that, we will proceed with the training mandated in the Charter.
- An open seat on the Board has not been filled within the 60 day requirement. The City Council will be consulted about the status of this appointment.
- RPD information access is core to conducting investigations and maintaining PAB independence. The review by the law department runs counter to this and the requirements in the Charter.
- Three Board members and three City Council members constitute a Committee that will receive updates about the investigations into the allegations against Executive Director Reynolds. A process for report review, public access and the redactions needed to maintain confidentiality is being developed and input is being requested from the Board.
- Larry Knox made a motion to express Board support for the union organizing efforts of PAB staff and recognition of the union by the Mayor since the staff has the votes. The motion carried.
- Board member Dr. Harrison discussed a program at St. John Fisher College to train boards of non-profit organizations. He suggested that the college be invited to talk to the PAB. Chairperson Knox and other members supported that idea.
Reported by Deborah Rice Gordon