Minutes for the Meeting of the
Public Safety Advisory Commission
July 6, 2006
Present members of Advisory Commission: Robert Turner, Charles Kurtz, Robert
Loving, C. A. Hardmon (Vice-Chairman), James Wilson, Margaret Shafter, Harold
Bryant, (Chairman)
Absent members: Alison Dowe, Greg Camp
Visitors: Mrs. Emily Walker, Ms. Doris Upshaw, Mr. Arthur Butler, Mrs. Carrie
Butler, Mr. Mark Rice (Ledger Enquirer), Mr. Philip Wartena (Ledger Enquirer)
Recording Secretary: Ms. Deborah Gasaway, Administrative Specialist III
Location: Community Room of the Public Safety Building
Meeting began at 4:01 p.m.
CHAIRMAN BRYANT CALLS THE MEETING TO ORDER:
Chairman Harold Bryant calls the meeting to order. Roll is taken.
REVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING?S MINUTES:
The commission members took a few moments to review the minutes of the May 2006
meeting. There was a motion and a second to approve minutes and they were
approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Archie Rainey addressed the commission concerning two (2) Police policies and
procedures, one for Funeral Escorts and one for Traffic Accident Form on
private property.
Mr. Rainey stated that funeral home escorts take about 80 hours of police
officers time when they are on duty. Mr. Rainey explained that he had taken
and prepared a policy to recommend to the Chief and also to the Public Safety
Director, the Mayor, to where the off-duty officers will do the escorting for
funeral home escorts and the funeral home will contact them, the off-duty
officers. The funeral home will pay a fee to the off-duty officers. Mr.
Rainey explained to the commission how this would leave more time to free up
officers so they can be dispatched to important police calls.
Several commission members questioned Mr. Rainey concerning the funeral home
escorts, the cost of implementing this plan, and who would pay the off-duty
police officers.
Chairman Bryant asked Mr. Rainey if he would like to hold this business until
next week, and Mr. Rainey asked that it be voted on now.
Chairman Bryant asked for a motion on the proposal, Mr. Rainey motioned and Mr.
Charles Kurtz seconded. Chairman Bryant tells the committee a motion has been
made and seconded. The committee voted four (4) in favor of the funeral home
escorts by off-duty police officers, and three (3) opposed the motion. The
motion passed by a vote of 4-3, for the Funeral Home Escorts by off-duty
officers. Chairman Bryant will pass this on to the Chief of Police and the
Public Safety Director.
The next proposal by Mr. Rainey is concerning the Traffic Accident Form that is
used by the Columbus Police Department whenever an accident occurs on private
property. This form is used when an accident or bump-in occurs on private
property, at a mall or someone?s home. He explains that excess time is used
by police officers going to these calls. He further explained how these
incidents take an officer away from the important 911 calls. He suggests that
the Police Department discontinue using the form and let the person?s insurance
company handle the private property accidents. He explains this form is not
required by law to be turned over to the State. The form is used only by the
Columbus Police Department. At the bottom of the report it states; this form
is used for private property only, it should not be mailed to: DMVS (Department
of Motor Vehicle Services). This form is only on file at the Columbus Police
Department.
Several commission members ask Mr. Rainey questions concerning this proposal.
Mr. Rainey moved that the Traffic Accident Form for private property be
discontinued by the Police Department so this will free up police officers on
the street.
Mr. Wilson asks for more information before this would be brought to a vote,
and to find out how much time is used on a monthly or quarterly basis on this
type call so that the commission might be able to compare these figures with
other kinds of calls that are being dispatched.
Chairman Bryant asks Mr. Rainey if he would table his proposal until they get
additional information and bring it back to the committee next month. Mr.
Rainey agrees.
Mr. Loving questioned Mr. Rainey on the Traffic Accident Form. He had some
concerns for the citizens who might have some problems with their insurance
company if this form is not provided.
Chairman Bryant tells the commission that they need more information and will
need to talk to insurance companies concerning this form so they can get more
information concerning this proposal. They will delay this proposal until next
month to a vote. He asks Mr. Rainey, if this is agreeable. Mr. Rainey agrees.
Mr. Rainey asks the committee to go on record of supporting our Public Safety
as it relates to Public Safety pay. He explains that 19 police officers of
different ranks will received zero pay or zero rate, 10 will receive 2.5
percent, 40 will receive 5 percent, but they voted to give 7.5 percent.
They?re also lowering the education incentive pay from 5 percent to 1200
dollars. He asks the commission would they like to take a position on this,
and forward it to the Mayor and Council in writing.
The commission members talk about the pay raise and the pay concerning Public
Safety.
Chairman Bryant tells the commission members that he would not like for them to
take a position on this issue until Chief Meyers and the Chief Boren come in
and give us their position on where they are with this issue. He explained
they should hear from the department heads on their take of their position on
this issue. Chairman Bryant explains it won?t be until next month when the
commission can hear and speak to the department heads concerning these issues.
Mr. Rainey explains it will be too late to take a vote concerning this issue.
He stresses, if the committee is going to support them, it?s now.
Chairman Bryant asks Mr. Rainey if he has a motion to make, a specific motion.
Mr. Rainey makes a motion that all officers be treated fairly and receive the
7.5 percent raise regardless of what the CAP is on the pay plan, and that there
be no lowering of other benefits, i. e., the education incentive and it remains
5 percent. He explains, just a little simple motion that we would support,
that?s all officers, get 7.5 percent and that they do not lower the education
incentive for the people coming on.
The commission members express their concern of taking a position at this time.
Chairman Bryant tells Mr. Rainey that he has motion on the table. Chairman
Bryant explains the motion to the commission members, that all officers,
Police, Fire, Sheriff and Marshall, all Public Safety Employees should receive
a minimum of 7.5 percent increase in pay, and that they not reduce the
education pay. Chairman Bryant asks Mr. Rainey if that is his motion. Mr.
Rainey agrees that is his motion.
Chairman Bryant asks if there is a second to that motion. No motion is made.
The motion fails for lack of a second.
NEW BUSINESS: MRS. EMILY WALKER
Chairman Bryant introduced Mrs. Emily Walker to the commission.
Chairman Bryant reminded Mrs. Walker the commission wasn?t granted any
investigative or subpoena power. The commission could not address specific
cases, only policies and procedures.
Mrs. Walker expressed her concerns of her son?s death, and felt that she should
come to the Public Safety Advisory Commission to talk to the members on some of
her issues and concerns she has at this time.
Mrs. Emily Walker explained to the commission that she still has a lot of
issues to think about since her son?s death. She thought by coming to speak
before the commission it might help her to relieve some of these concerns. She
is questioning how city officials can claim immunity when they did admit to
mistakes that were made. She further explained Kenny (her son) wasn?t the only
one in the vehicle; there were four men in the SUV that was stopped that
night. She stated, that three of the men were detained for three to four hours
and at the end of it, her son was dead. Mrs. Walker spoke to the commission
calling for accountability and justice concerning the death of her son, Kenneth
Walker.
Chairman Bryant thanked Mrs. Walker for coming to the meeting.
Chairman Bryant asks if any commission members have any closing remarks.
Vice-Chairman C. A. Hardmon, Mr. Robert Loving and Mr. Robert Turner gave their
support to Mrs. Walker.
Chairman Bryant moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Archie Rainey motions to end
the meeting; James Wilson and Robert Turner second the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.
_______________________
Deborah Gasaway
Administrative Secretary III
Recording Secretary
Attachments
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