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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCover MemoCp CIVILIAN INVESTIGATIVE PANEL BH.13 To: From: Date: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission c-C/ ey E. Richardson, Executive Director September 18, 2007 Subject: 2007-2008 Second Revised Budget Proposal Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) References: Enclosures: 1 RECOMMENDATION It is respectfully requested that the City Commission consider and adopt the attached second revised budget proposal to be presented by the Civilian Investigative Panel at the September 27, 2007 Commission meeting. The revision has been submitted to the Chief of Strategic Planning and Budgeting for inclusion in the FY'2008 Budget requests. BACKGROUND The Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP) created in response to citizens' demand for a civilian oversight agency, authorized to conduct independent investigations of alleged police misconduct by Miami Police officers, review the policies and procedures and issue subpoenas after consultation with the State Attorney's Office. Through its oversight powers, the CIP strives to enhance confidence and trust in the law enforcement policies and practices of the Miami Police Department, utilizing its best efforts to ensure its reviews and investigations are conducted in an impartial and fair manner. The CIP's enabling Ordinance (12188) calls for the creation of a thirteen member panel to serve on a volunteer basis. Twelve of the Panel's thirteen are appointed by the City Commission and one by the Chief of Police. All members, with the exception of the Chiefs appointment, are permanent residents of the City of Miami, or work or maintain a business within the City. The CIP currently consists of ten members. Vacancies on the Panel are expected to be filled before the end of the fiscal year. Current members are as follows: Brenda Shapiro (Chairperson) Thomas Rebull (Secretary) Bess McElroy (Treasurer) Rudy de la Guardia (Vice Chair) Janet McAliley Susan Weintraub Otis Davis Fred St. Amand Timothy Moore Hector Schwerert Past Members who served during FY 2007 include: Tonya Brinkley; Danny Couch, Andrew Fishman, and Larry Handheld. Past Members who served during FY 2007 include: Tonya Brinkley; Danny Couch, Andrew Fishman, and Larry Handfield. BUDGET REQUEST The CIP's revised budget for FY 2008 is $1,056,561. This is $150,000 or 12% lower than the FY 2007 budget of $1,206,561. The difference is attributed to savings from use of in-house investigators rather than outsourcing of this function. PURPOSE, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CIP: • To conduct investigations, inquiries and evidentiary hearings into allegations of police misconduct. • To request issuance of subpoenas for the purpose of obtaining evidence from witnesses, production of documents etc., after consultation with the State Attorney and CIP Independent Counsel. • To make factual determinations, facilitate resolutions and propose recommendations to the City Manager and Chief of Police. • To review and make recommendations regarding the Miami Police Department's existing policies and procedures, including training, recruitment and discipline and provide input to the Chief of Police prior to implementation of new or revised policies and procedures. • To issue reports to the Mayor, City Commission, City Attorney, City Manager, Chief of Police and the public. • To conduct regularly scheduled public meetings and to convene special and emergency meetings and public hearings as necessary. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 ADMINISTRATION, STAFFING AND DEVELOPMENT: • Provided staff support for the 13 member volunteer Panel. • Completed the CIP 2006 Annual Report. • Initiated plan to decrease costs associated with the CIP's outsourcing of its field investigations through hiring of staff investigators. • Studied feasibility of contracting with a marketing/advertising firm to design and execute a marketing, advertising and community relations plan to include public and media relations, Panel and staff appearances and presentations, collaboration with other agencies and entities, research, website development, media production, press releases and special events. Prepared Requests for Proposals. Identified interested firms. • Filled vacant position for Chief Investigator. • Prepared FY 2008 Budget proposal for presentation to the City Commission. • Conducted recruitment and selection to fill vacancies occurring on the Panel during FY 2007. • Drafted and received Panel approval for CIP By -Laws outlining the rules, regulations and practices of the CIP and its membership. • Successfully underwent audit of FY 2006 Financial Statements. The auditor's report found "no significant weaknesses in the [CIP's] Internal Control System" and financial statements to be "fairly represented." POLICY REVIEW & INVESTIGATIONS: • 143 Cases of alleged police misconduct opened to date. • 203 Cases investigated and closed to date. • 173 Total cases pending/under review to date. • 13 MPD Departmental Orders/Policy Revisions were reviewed. • 39 Case generated Recommendations, and/or Concerns/Commentaries submitted to the MPD. • 26 Cases in which CIP Findings were not consistent with MPD Findings. • Drafted proposed revisions to the CIP's Monitoring List of flagged officers with repeat incidents/misconduct complaints. • Drafted a plan for expedited entry of cases and data into the IAPro case tracking and retrieval system. • Conducted special investigations/inquiries into the Quality of Life Task Force (multi -agency operation including MPD sworn personnel); Electronic Control Device/Taser Policy and the MPD's SWAT and STRU teams. • Requested and received MPD response to procedures and operations of MPD sub- ("mini") stations which were the focus of several complaints investigated by the CIP. The CIP conducted a special investigation of locations with signage or other evidence of use as a sub ("mini") station. TRAINING: • Provided required training opportunities to staff and Panel members consistent with the CIP Ordinance. • Three Panel and two staff members attended the 12t1' National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) held in Boise, Idaho. • Staff attended the 22nd National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community. • Coordinated the local planning of the National organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Conference. OUTREACH: • Convened 39 meetings: providing televised coverage for all meetings held at City Hall. Three of the 9 regular panel meetings held to date were held in three Commissioners' Districts to allow constituents an opportunity to address the panel on issues/concerns relating to the MPD. Panel meetings were also changed from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. to allow for attendance by persons whose workday ends at 5:00 P.M. • Created an Outreach Committee comprising panel Members and staff support to develop an annual outreach plan and facilitate outreach efforts/programs. • Attended and/or participated in community meetings hosted by such agencies/organizations as the Miami -Dade Independent Review Panel (IRP), the City of Miami Civil Service Board, the City of Miami Community Relations Board and the Miami -Dade County Community Relations Board. • Disseminated CIP brochures and complaint forms (English, Spanish and Creole) to all Neighborhood Enhancement Team Offices, Miami Police Headquarters and Substations. • Worked with the City of Miami's Information Technology Department to enhance the CIP's website and conduct regular updates of site to ensure citizen access to current and relevant information and features. • Met with all NET administrators; devised collaborative community outreach efforts and role of CIP. • Increased media coverage of CIP events and accomplishments through regular media advisories/press releases. • Hosted, at the request of the Miami Council for International Visitors, a 5-member group of security officials from Gaza and the West Bank interested in learning about civilian oversight of police. OBJECTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 ADMINISTRATION, STAFFING AND DEVELOPMENT: • Continue to manage and improve the administration of the CIP, its business and service delivery; fulfilling its mission, achieving its goals and maximizing operational savings. • Create and utilize the Balanced Scorecard System as a means of measuring operational objectives, productivity and performance. • Provide staff support for the 13 member volunteer Panel. • Conduct Citizen Satisfaction Surveys as a tool for measuring service currently provided by the CIP and identifying areas in which the needs of the citizens can be best addressed. • Conduct to the City Commission quarterly reporting of CIP accomplishments and performance levels towards achieving its strategic plan. • Complete and publish the CIP's 2007 Annual Report. • Collaborate with marketing and advertising firm on community outreach efforts aimed at providing information and quality service to Miami's diverse community. POLICY REVIEW/INVESTIGATIONS: • Implement, in conjunction with the Miami Police Department's (MPD) Internal Affairs Section (I.A.), an integrated and automated system for receipt and review of citizen police misconduct complaints submitted to and investigated by MPD personnel. • Conduct independent reviews, investigations and/or hearings regarding police policies, procedures and misconduct complaints received directly from citizens and/or the Miami police Department and submit policy/procedural recommendations to the Chief of Police, City Manager and City Commission as necessary. • Improve on 2007 case management achievements through use of in-house, staff investigators. TRAINING: • Develop CIP employee skills through training in target areas such as customer service, community relations, communication, investigation and oversight, information technology, research and analysis. • Ensure CIP members complete all required training and re-training consistent with the CIP mandate and Ordinance. OUTREACH: • Structure and improve outreach projects and customer service through decentralized intake of complaints, execution of a marketing, advertising and community relations plan to include public and media relations, Panel and staff appearances and presentations, collaboration with other agencies and entities, research, website development, media production, press releases and special events. regular and proactive public appearances and presentations, development of an interactive and user-friendly website and effective publication and direction to CIP services. Should additional information be required, please contact the CIP Executive Director at (305) 579-2444. SER/caa