HomeMy WebLinkAboutCover MemoBH.17
C
CIVILIAN INVESTIGATIVE PANEL
To:
From:
Date:
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
irley E. Richardson, Executive Director
August 8, 2008
Subject: 2008-2009 Budget Proposal
Civilian Investigative Panel (CIP)
References: 2
Enclosures:
RECOMMENDATION
It is respectfully requested that the City Commission consider and adopt the attached budget
proposal to be presented by the Civilian Investigative Panel at the September 11, 2008
Commission meeting. The proposed budget 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)
Rudy de la Guardia (Vice Chair)
Thomas Cobitz
Michelle Delaney
Thomas Rebull (Secretary)
Janet McAliley
Timothy Moore
Fred St. Amand
Bess McElroy (Treasurer)
Cornelius Shiver
Susan Weintraub
Past Members who served during FY 2008 include: Otis Davis and Hector Schwerert.
BUDGET REQUEST
The CIP's requested budget for FY 2009 is $1,141,880. This is $85,319 or 7.5% higher than the
FY 2008 budget of $1,056,561.
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 2008
• Provided staff liaison support for the CIP's 13 member citizen volunteer Panel.
• Assisted in the recruitment and selection process of new and returning members.
• Managed and directed all functions and resources of the CIP. Filled positions for
two investigators and two administrative support staff. Cost savings were
realized with the discontinuation of the practice to outsource the investigative
function. Provided required training opportunities to staff and Panel members
consistent with the CIP Ordinance.
• Opened 314 cases of alleged police misconduct (Does not include September
2008 cases).
• Investigated and/or reviewed 153 cases. (Does not include September 2008
cases).
• Reviewed Departmental Orders/Policy Revisions submitted by the MPD and
returned recommendations to the Police Chief.
• Convened a total of 48 CIP public meetings to include regular monthly, special
and committee meetings, providing televised coverage for all meetings held at
City Hall Commission Chambers. All meetings are open to the public and
opportunity provided for public comment/input.
• Drafted the CIP 2007 Annual Report.
• Successfully underwent an audit of the CIP's Fiscal Year 2007 Financial
Statements. The auditing firm of Harvey, Covington and Thomas L.L.C., found
2
"the CIP financial statements to be free of material misstatement... [and] no
instances of non compliance...with certain provisions of laws, regulations,
contracts, and grant agreements ...or other matters that are required to be
reported under Government Auditing Standards."
• Instituted 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. (Survey results to be analyzed and reported at a later date).
• Attended and assisted in the planning of the Florida Attorney General's 23nd
National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community held in
Tampa, Florida.
• Attended and assisted in planning the 32"d National Organization of Black Law
Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Conference held in New York.
• Attended and/or participated in meetings hosted by agencies such as the Miami -
Dade Independent Review Panel (IRP), the City of Miami Community Relations
Board, the Miami -Dade County Community Relations Board, Communities
United and the Urban Empowerment Corporation Positive Partners.
• Made presentations at Miami Dade County Public Schools and Miami -Dade
County College concerning civilian oversight and the work of the CIP.
• Acquired with the assistance of the Office of Communications, thirty-second
informational Public Service Announcements about the CIP in English, Spanish
and Creole to be run on local radio and television stations.
• Worked with the City of Miami's Information Technology Department to
enhance the CIP's website and monitor the site to ensure public access to current
and relevant information and features.
• Disseminated CIP brochures and complaint forms (English, Spanish and Creole)
to all Neighborhood Enhancement Team Offices, Miami Police Headquarters and
Substations.
OBJECTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
• 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.
• Acquire appropriate search software in an effort to reduce instances where cases
are closed as "No Finding" due to inability to locate complainants.
• Provide staff support for the 13 member volunteer Panel.
• 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.
• Decrease our backlogged case load so as to bring the CIP current to cases within
the 120 day limitation.
• Improve the rate for closing cases by 33% over FY 2008.
• Complete and publish the CIP's 2008 Annual Report.
3
• Continue to encourage a cooperative working relationship with the Miami Police
Department for the exchange and receipt of information critical to the effective
functioning of the CIP as mandated by the City Charter.
• Collaborate with outreach and public relations consultants and implement an
expanded and improved community outreach program that effectively and
efficiently informs and engages Miami's diverse community in the oversight
process.
• Improve customer service through decentralized intake of complaints and fully
execute an advertising and community relations plan to include more panel and
staff appearances and presentations, increased collaboration with other agencies
and entities and continued research into and implementation of best practices.
Should additional information be required, please contact the CIP Executive Director at (305)
579-2444.
SER/caa
4