The Brattleboro Citizen Police Communications Committee will meet on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 5:30pm in the community room at the Brooks Memorial Library.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
….
CPCC Meeting
August 25, 2014
5:30 pm, Brooks Memorial Library, Main Street, Brattleboro
1. Call to Order & Quorum Check: Tristan Toleno called the meeting to order. Committee members James Banslaben, Robyn Flatley, Georgia Morgan, and Ann Wright were present. Terry Carter, Susan Rockwell and Acting Chief Fitzgerald also attended.
2. Agenda Review: No changes.
3. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: The July 28 and August 4 minutes were approved with no changes.
4. Complaints/Compliments Report – Two complaints were received last month; each was handled by police department supervisors. In both cases, after talking with the supervisors, the complainants were satisfied with the process. Acting Chief Fitzgerald explained that complaints generally have to do with a misunderstanding of process and procedure.
5. Public participation
a. Susan Rockwell, one of the recent complainants, described the B&B/rental situation at her property and the issues she has had during the summer with tenants, guests, and police officers. She feels that an officer shouldn’t be hired if there is already a family member on the Brattleboro police force and that some young officers on the force are not properly trained, particularly regarding tenant-landlord law. Tristan Toleno recommended to Susan that she address her concerns to the Selectboard, explaining that the CPCC’s role is to ensure that the complaint process is followed—it does not have the authority to change police policy. Susan requested a press release on the police department’s website that cites an incident at her property be removed. AC Fitzgerald said he is not able to do this; he suggested they meet separately to discuss her issues and request.
b. Dog-handling training: Terry Carter thanked James Banslaben for finding a website that provides professional dog handling videos for police training. She also thanked AC Fitzgerald for his willingness to use the videos and TJ Anderson of the police academy, who got funding for two or three officers to receive hands-on training. She thanked the CPCC for their support through the long process to get additional training in canine handling for the Brattleboro police officers.
c. AC Fitzgerald’s objectives are for officers to receive training on dog behavior by qualified professionals and by partnering with the animal Control officer and other animal service resources in town. Should a new police chief be hired, AC will pass along his recommendations. He thanked Terry and James for their work.
6. New business – None.
7. Unfinished Business:
a. CPCC handbook work (bylaws, mission statement, etc.) – Tabled to September. Next month the committee will focus on the mission statement. Robyn will send a draft to CPCC members for discussion before next month’s meeting.
b. Animal Control Officer status: The ACO has been re-instated as of August 18. Her hours are 30 per week, in compliance with this fiscal year’s approved budget.
CPCC Agenda
September 22, 2014
5:30 p.m., Brooks Memorial Library
1. Call to order & Quorum check
2. Agenda review
3. Approval of previous meeting notes
4. Complaints/Compliments Report
5. New business
6. Unfinished Business:
a. CPCC handbook – review mission statement
7. Public participation
