[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: Professional Standards Review Panel

[cmosupport at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Weaver, Sam

Interim Chief Testa,
 
Thanks for the great information.  I want to begin by saying that I think the Boulder PD is well-run, and the men and women of the police force in Boulder do a very difficult job with a high level of professionalism and dedication.  It is much appreciated
 by the entire community.  With that said, my questions are asked in the spirit of understanding the system of checks and reviews that are in place to oversee those empowered by law to use force and arrest power in the community.  Even among the best police
 forces, there are those who can overstep their legal authority, or violate the law outright, and I am coming up to speed on the oversight process.  Thanks for helping me out.
 
I have a few additional questions about the Professional Standards Review Panel:
 
1) What are the durations of each of these panel appointments?
 
2) How many times has this panel met in each of the last two years?  How many Class 1 complaints were submitted and reviewed in each year?
 
3) As a recent example to consider, were cases regarding police employees who were involved with the elk shooting incident (both those criminally charged, as well as others who may have had knowledge of the event) brought before this panel?
 
4) Are notes kept of the panel discussions?
 
5) Are panel meetings public?
 
6) Is there an appeal process of the panel decisions?
 
7) Are panel decisions advisory or binding?  
 
Thanks in advance for your responses, and for your service.
 
All the best,

 

Sam Weaver
Member of Boulder City Council
weavers at bouldercolorado.gov
Phone: 303-416-6130




From: Testa, Greg
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 11:44 AM
To: HOTLINE
Subject: Professional Standards Review Panel 





Dear Council Members,
At the June 3, 2014, City Council meeting there were several questions regarding the Boulder Police Department Professional Standards Review Panel, its role, and how panel members are
 selected. 
The Professional Standards Review Panel reviews Class 1 (most serious) investigative complaints against employees and makes recommendations to the Chief of Police.  The panel consists
 of 12 members: six department members and six volunteer community members. When panel openings occur, announcements are made through press releases and an announcement is posted on the Police Department’s website page.

 
Here are three recent press releases seeking community applications:
Feb.
 21, 2013 - Boulder Police Department Seeking Community Members for Professional Standards Review Panel
Jan.
 2, 2014 - Boulder Police Department Seeking Community Members for Professional Standards Review Panel
Jan.
 21, 2014 - Boulder Police Department Seeking Community Members for Professional Standards Review Panel
The department also has participated in interviews on Channel 8 to discuss the role of the panel and the selection process:
http://vimeo.com/63437779
 
Interested community members complete an application and an interview process.  The City Manager or her representative selects the panel members from the list of qualified applicants.
 Community members must be willing to serve a minimum of two years, agree to a background check, and sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Department panel members are selected by the Chief of Police with input from the Boulder Police Officers Association (BPOA) and Boulder Municipal Employees Association (BMEA).  Department
 representation on the panel consists of three commissioned officers, one commissioned sergeant and two BMEA employees.
If you would like additional information about the Boulder Police Department Professional Standards Review Panel, please contact me.
 
Regards,
 
Greg Testa
Interim Police Chief
Boulder Police Department