League of Women Voters of Rochester Metro Area

May 2023 PAB Meeting Summaries

May 4th, 2023 PAB Meeting Summary
Observed by Deborah Rice Gordon

A recording of this meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcFNDx-AEW8. Be advised that the sound quality is poor at times.

It was announced that Dr. Robert Harrison, a founding member of the PAB, died. A moment of silence was held in his honor. Two new Board members were introduced: Mary E. Wambach and Reverend Keith Patterson.
The minutes from the April 20th Board meeting were approved.
Interim Executive Director Sherry Walker-Cowart gave the staff report:

Staff is participating in mandatory training per the Charter.
Radio and billboard ads are out. The billboards are located at various sites in the city. Ads for the bus shelters are coming out in June.
A ride-along with Rochester Police Department (RPD) was held and information on the city and police processes was shared. More ride-alongs are planned.
Last month the investigative team had several meetings with City Council Smith to prepare for budget meetings. The new work group met on May 1^st and a power point presentation was given providing clarity on PAB’s work.
The investigation team continues work on receiving and reviewing information and evidence. Some cases are ready for panel review, which is anticipated for later this month.
The data analysis for the disciplinary matrix was completed and presented to the Board last week.
Fifteen incident reports were received in April. The total number of reports received to date is 313. A report on the status of investigations was distributed to the Board. Cases under investigative review number 167 and 59 cases are ready for the Board’s assessment. Information from RPD is needed on 53 cases. If the Board had direct access to data as required by the Charter, work on these cases could proceed more quickly.

During Board discussion, a question about the process for job postings was asked by a new member. Larry Knox explained that once the budget is approved, the Board is supposed to be able to proceed with hiring. However, City Council has added a requirement for their approval. Although this slows the hiring process, it is expected that openings such as staff attorney will be filled. Until that happens, each staff person is doing multiple jobs.
The City Council said they would remove any budget restrictions once an interim executive director was named. Larry Knox continues to ask for clarity on that point.

Larry Knox gave the Chair’s report:

The presentation to the City Council went very well and staff were thanked for their work.
The Board is pleased to have two of three new Board members present at the meeting. They are quickly becoming involved in their work. The replacement for Reverend Nickoloff is expected by the end of the month. The seat formerly held Dr. Harrison will need to be filled.
The Board is requesting to be fully funded at the same rate we were last year. Forty new people need to be hired and it is hoped that the initial positions will be filled in order for work to proceed in order to fulfill Charter requirements.
Rabbi Setel and Arlene Brown went on a drive-along with RPD and found the experience very informative as to what officers have to manage and deal with. They would like to see more opportunities for communication between PAB and RPD.
The court case brought by the Locust Club challenging PAB’s disciplinary powers is still pending.

New business

Three reports were closed for reasons such as lack of jurisdiction and evidence.
Various aspects of the draft disciplinary matrix were discussed. The matrix was shared with The Locust Club and the RPD for their comments. Additional public comment is welcome and revisions may be made in response to those comments. A motion made to approve the draft matrix was passed. The matrix will be shared directly with the mayor, city council and RPD.
An executive session was called in order to discuss proposed or pending litigation and/or specific job specifications. The meeting was adjourned afterward.

May 18th, 2023 PAB Meeting Summary
Observed by Deborah Rice Gordon

A recording of this meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPT0im2Nv8E. Be advised that the sound quality is poor at times.
The minutes from the May 4^th meeting were approved.

Interim Executive Director Sherry Walker-Cowart gave the staff report:

Staff is continuing to receive training as required by the Charter.
Interviews for a staff attorney position is beginning.
Staff has not yet received information from the Rochester Police Department (RPD) on a number of cases. Information on turn-around time was requested by Chairperson Knox.

The Chairperson’s report was given by Larry Knox:

To date, the budget has not been finalized. However PAB is expecting to be funded as it was last year and that the organization will have full access to their budget, unlike the last budget year.
The Board has two open seats due to the passing of Dr. Harrison and the resignation of Reverend Nickoloff. It is hoped that City Council will give their approval and new members can be announced later this month.
A search committee for an Executive Director is beginning their work to identify an appointee by the end of the year.

Old business

Billboards have been posted and information about how to contact PAB is being distributed to libraries and other places. If the public knows of a model police officer, PAB would like to know that as well.

New business:

A motion to approve a Proposal for Change concerning data transparency was passed. This proposal is a means for PAB to recommend improvements to RPD’s policies and practices involving data reporting. The Proposal can be read in both English and Spanish at: https://www.rocpab.org/news-and-events/news/.

An executive session was called to discuss litigation and hiring topics. The meeting was adjourned afterward.