[CPRB] Police Review Board raised at last Monday night's candidate forum

[Danielle Chynoweth]

Monday night, January 31st, the Urbana Firefighters and Police held a 
forum with all the council and mayor candidates, minus Shirley Hersey, 
candidate for Mayor, who did not show.

The police union seemed concerned about talk of a Citizen Review Board of 
the Police and several of their questions were directed at this issue.  

They also advocated for a city ordinance against cannabis so that they
"would not have to choose between letting someone off or initiating a
serious criminal record for someone committing a minor offense."  
Currently the possession of 3 grams or more of marijuana can get you a
felony charge under state law.  Illinois has one of the harshest laws in
the U.S. in this regard. There were about 45 charges involving cannabis or
periphenalia (pipes, etc) in Urbana in 2004.

What follows are quotes about CPRB and a marijuana ordinance that I took 
down best I could during the forum.  There is also a News-Gazette article 
in the February 1st edition that focuses largely on the CPRB.  The NG does 
have a misquote of Tod.  He warned a CPRB could be abused by "*criminals* 
filing frivlous complaints."  The NG substituted "citizen" for "criminal" 
but I am certain of what he said since I wrote it down verbatim. 
See: http://www.news-gazette.com/localnews/story.cfm?Number=17606  

Also, Tod said this is the first he has heard of this issue, and yet he
was approached in the last election about his support for a CPRB according
to the grassroots group organizing at the time around this issue.  I
remember I was approached as a candidate as well.

--
Anthony Cobb, President of Urbana Police Union: Did you support a Citizen 
Review Board of Police?

Laurel Prussing: Yes, I helped found the group seeking such a review 
board.  An office can't effectively audit itself - there needs to be 
outside review. (see said other things, but I didn't get them down)

Tod Satterthwaite: Our police department is highly professional.  This 
campaign season is the first I heard of this.  We have a current system 
that is working. I don't know why this is coming up now.  If people 
weren't getting a fair treatment, I or the council would be hearing about 
it.  We have about 25 complaints against the police a year.  These are all 
researched thoroughly.  If there are problems, they are dealt with.  About 
10% of the time the complaints are found to be valid and are dealt with.  
But, I am not opposed to exploring it.  I would need to know the details 
so that it is not abused by criminals filing frivolous complaints.

Robert Lewis (unopposed, African-American candidate for Ward 3): 
It's not a good idea to have the fox guarding the hen house.  But, it is
not clear if why we need something separate from our Human Relations
Commission.  Why haven't they looked at these complaints?  I'm opposed to
duplicating structures.  The HRC may need additional jurisdiction and
training to fulfill this role.

Charlie Smythe (uncontested candidate for Ward 1)
We have a very professional department.  No issues have come up.  But, to 
increase the professionalism of our department, and protect its 
reputation, we should explore such a board.

Brandon Bowersox (contested candidate for Ward 4)
I support a CPRB.

Also, officers raised concerns that members of the CPRB would not have the 
right background and training in criminal justice to effectively and 
fairly review cases.

Anthony Cobb: Do you support a marijuana ordinance for the city of Urbana?

Laurel Prussing: Yes.  This would help distinguish between users and 
dealers.

Satterthwaite: Yes, it would help direct people to counseling.

Danielle Chynoweth: I became aware that officers wanted this ordinance and
strongly support it myself.  I have been researching this issue for
several months and would like union member's input on the ordinance.

There was a lot more of other issues, but I don't have time to transcribe 
all my notes right now.


-- 
| Danielle Chynoweth
| City Council Member * Urbana City Council * city.urbana.il.us