[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: Professional Standards Review Panel

[cmosupport at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Testa, Greg

Council Member Weaver,
 
Here is the additional information that you requested:    
 
1) What are the durations of each of these panel appointments?
The duration of each panel appointment is typically a two-year term.  We currently have one citizen member who volunteered to have their term extended, due to low interest
 from the most recent posting.  
 
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?
          The panel meets as needed to review Class 1 investigations.  During 2012, the panel met eight times.  In 2013, the panel met thirteen times, and in 2014, they will meet in the next
 several weeks to review one investigation.  
 
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?
          The panel did review the Elk investigation, which consisted of the internal administrative investigation as well as the criminal investigation.  Chief Beckner asked the panel if they
 found any evidence to merit additional criminal or administrative investigations of other employees, and they did not find any cause for further investigations.
 
4) Are notes kept of the panel discussions?
          Individual panel members may take notes during their review of an investigation.  Those notes are for their use only.  Panel opinions and recommendations are documented and included
 in the official administrative case file.   Individual panel members may submit dissenting opinions along with the majority opinion on the outcome of an investigation.  

 
5) Are panel meetings public?
          Panel members review administrative disciplinary files, which are considered personnel records and are not public record. Subsequently, panel meetings are not open to the public.
 
6) Is there an appeal process of the panel decisions?
          Panel members review administrative investigations in addition to a review by the subject employee’s supervisory chain of command.  During the panel’s review, they make written recommendations
 on whether the investigation was conducted fairly, completely, and reported accurately.  They also make a recommendation on disposition based on the material contained in the case file.

 
7) Are panel decisions advisory or binding? 

          Panel decisions are advisory only, as well as the recommendations made by the employee’s supervisors. 

 
 
Please let me know if I can assist any further.
 
Greg
 
Greg Testa
Interim Chief of Police
Boulder Police Department
1805 33rd St.
Boulder, CO 80301
303-441-3335 
 

 


From: Weaver, Sam

Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 7:43 PM
To: Testa, Greg; HOTLINE
Subject: RE: Professional Standards Review Panel 


 

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