Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Regular Commission Meeting April 1, 2015

Transcription

1 Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission Regular Commission Meeting Call to Order The Regular Commission meeting of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission was called to order on Wednesday, at 1:03 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, Harrisburg, PA. Chairman Gross presided. Members Present Chief Adams, Chief Cox, Lieutenant Crone, Chief William Daly, Chief Gross, Richard Hammon, Director Hart, Director Johnson, Chief Kelly, Chief King, Frank Lavery, Chief Lesko, Chief Murphy, Chief Ogden, Accreditation Manager O Hara, Andrea Sullivan, Chief Van Loan, Chief Walker, Lieutenant Wendt and Chief Zydonik. Chief Joseph Daly, Chief Dorney, Chief Jolley and Ron Stern were absent. Also present, from Jenkintown Borough Police Department, were Chief of Police Albert DiValentino, Lieutenant Rick Tucker, Officer David Sangree and Officer Anthony Matteo. From Annville Township Police Department were Chief of Police Bernard Dugan, Accreditation Manager Linda Bechtel and Sergeant William Stickler. From Lower Makefield Township Police Department were Chief of Police Kenneth Coluzzi, Captain Tom Roche, Lieutenant Robert Lewis and Detective Sergeant Brian Omlor. From York City Police Department were Chief of Police Wesley Kahley, Captain Steven Butler and Lieutenant Troy Bankert. Chairman Gross welcomed all to the meeting. He also noted Executive Director Dane Merryman was in attendance. Chief Kelly spoke about the meeting with the Legislative Black Caucus. Through Executive Director Merryman, Chief King and Chief Kelly s discussion with them, the topic turned to accreditation. They were informed about the accreditation program. The Legislative Black Caucus feels the accreditation program should be mandatory for law enforcement agencies. Commission members introduced themselves. Frank Lavery introduced a new attorney, Carl Sandel, with his firm. Mr. Sandel was a former Captain in the New York City Police Department. He is well versed in policy writing and is a great resource for the Commission. Approval of Minutes Chief Adams made a motion to accept the minutes of the November 12, 2014 Regular Commission meeting. Lieutenant Wendt seconded the motion. All agreed.

2 Page 2 of 6 Assessment Reports for Consent Agenda The following agencies have been put on the Consent Agenda for approval: Harrisburg City; West Shore Regional; Middletown Township; Patton Township; Murrysville; Spring Township (Berks); Lower Merion Township; Lower Allen Township and Derry Township. A motion was made by Chief Cox to accept the recommendation for the reaccreditation for these agencies. Lieutenant Crone seconded the motion. All agreed. Chief Zydonik, Director Johnson, Chief Ogden, Chief Adams, Chief Lesko and Accreditation Manager O Hara abstained from voting. Chairman Gross congratulated all re-accredited agencies. Assessment Reports Jenkintown Borough Review Captain Heiberger reported that the Jenkintown Borough Police Department has gone through many trials and tribulations to get to this point. He allowed Chief DiValentino an opportunity to inform the Commission of exactly what happened. Chief DiValnetino commented that this accreditation cycle was the most difficult thus far. Their Accreditation Manager, who had been there for years, suddenly resigned. His replacement took over for a bit and fell ill and died. Chief DiValentino reached out for help from neighboring agencies. Lieutenant Potts, from Horsham Township, jumped in to try and help. He was very limited with his time. Chief DiValentino felt helpless but he was determined to not let their accreditation lapse. Nothing means more to his Department and the Borough than accreditation. Officer Sangree and Office Matteo stepped up and pulled them through. After confirming all required corrections had been made, Captain Heiberger conducted a brief exit interview. He and the assessment team were generally impressed with the operation of the Jenkintown Borough Police Department. The agency has faced some challenges, but with Chief DiValentino s leadership, and the hard work and dedication of Officer Sangree, Officer Matteo, Detective Welsh and all sworn officers and civilian employees, the agency has again achieved professional excellence. It is the assessment team s unanimous recommendation that the Jenkintown Borough Police Department be considered for re-accreditation. Chief Kelly made a motion to accept the re-accreditation of the Jenkintown Borough Police Department. Chief Murphy seconded the motion. All agreed. Annville Township Review In the absence of Lieutenant McLaughlin, Lieutenant Potts reported that the Annville Township Police Department is a well-organized agency. Clearly written policies and directives are in place to ensure that the Department provides its citizens and visitors with effective and professional services. It is clear that Chief

3 Page 3 of 6 Dugan has provided his officers with the necessary training, tools and leadership to ensure the Department s professionalism. It is without reservation that the assessment team recommends the Annville Township Police Department be given consideration for their initial accreditation status. Chief Dugan said he has been supportive of accreditation since its inception. If Annville Township can become accredited, anyone can become accredited. Accreditation Manager Bechtel said she was not familiar with the program at all. Their Department went through a lot of turmoil. The Department was rebuilt in a very short period of time. The process was very rewarding. She is very proud of their accomplishment. Chief Zydonik made a motion to accept the accreditation of the Annville Township Police Department. Chief Ogden seconded the motion. All agreed. Lower Makefield Township Review Lieutenant Walters reported that everyone on staff at the Lower Makefield Township Police Department was involved in the process and it was very well done. The Lower Makefield Township Police Department is a professional law enforcement agency organized for the delivery of excellent services to the people of the Township. The Department is a mission-oriented Department that the people of Lower Makefield Township should be proud of and confident in. The assessment team is pleased to fully support, recommend and endorse the Lower Makefield Township Police Department for accreditation. Chief Coluzzi said he was very happy to be working with Lieutenant Walters and the assessment team. He thanked the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and the Commission for all of their work. Chief Murphy made a motion to accept the accreditation of the Lower Makefield Township Police Department. Chief Adams seconded the motion. All agreed. York City Review Deputy Chief Benson reported that assessment of the York City Police Department went very smoothly. He said that Chief Kahley set the stage from the get go about the on-site and put everybody at ease. One of the goals of the York City Police Department has been to update its policy manual and update its training in its endeavor to become accredited. The philosophy of train every day has become pervasive to provide the best police services possible. With a new policy manual, new station and a

4 Page 4 of 6 new focus on being proactive and professional, the York City Police Department is heading in the right direction in meeting their goals and living up to their Mission Statement. It is the assessment team s pleasure and honor to highly recommend that the York City Police Department become an accredited agency. Chief Kelly noted that this was Chief Gross former agency. Chief Gross made a motion to accept the accreditation of the York City Police Department. Chief Cox seconded the motion. All agreed. Assessor Committee Director Johnson reported that there are 12 new assessor applications that were approved to attend assessor training. The 12 applicants are: Troy M. Bankert, York City Police; Matthew Colflesh, Lower Merion Township Police; James Cromley, Bloomsburg Police; Michael A. Foltz, Lower Pottsgrove Township Police; Donna K. Hope, Camp Hill Borough Police; Terry D. Ketchem, Jr., Coal Township Police; Brian Marshall, Phoenixville Borough Police; Anthony Matteo, Jenkintown Borough Police; Brian Omlor, Lower Makefield Township Police; Pamela S. Quick, West Shore Regional Police; David Sangree, Jenkintown Borough Police and Scott W. Weidenhammer, Jr., Lower Pottsgrove Township Police. Director Johnson made a motion to have the applicants approved for training. Chief King seconded the motion. All agreed. There was a discussion regarding the current qualifications for new assessor applicants. This was referred to the Administrative Committee for further review. Standards Committee Chief King reported that the Standards Committee met on January 27, 2015 and March 18, 2015 and is continuing to work on updating/adding standards for eye witness identification, body worn cameras, legal mandates on elder abuse and automated red light cameras, as well as much discussion regarding standard (e). On behalf of the majority of the Standards Committee, extra security measures can be physical or procedural. On another note, the Standards Committee is not recommending any expansion in allowing other entities into the Accreditation Program. Dick Hammon discussed issues with some narratives. The word must should never be in the narrative. He was also asked to clarify letters needed from a communication center for standards 3.3.1, 3.3.2, and

5 Page 5 of 6 Chief King made a motion to accept the Standards Committee report. Chief Zydonik seconded the motion. All agreed. Administrative Committee Chief Murphy indicated there was nothing to report. A discussion followed regarding CALEA changing their accreditation cycle to a four year cycle. There is concern as to how this might affect PLEAC s three year cycle for those who line up with CALEA and abide by the PLEAC/CALEA Crosswalk. Also addressed was whether or not ride-a-longs have gone by the wayside being that there were no reports of ride-a-longs in some of the re-assessment reports. It was relayed that we are still requiring a ride-a-long during an on-site. Another question that was brought up is whether or not there are any rules in regard to participating in mock assessments prior to participating in an actual on-site. It was relayed that there are no rules pertaining to this. Strategic Planning Committee Chief Gross indicated there was nothing to report. Dick Hammon initiated a discussion regarding possibly implementing an accreditation certificate/recognition program. After much input, it was decided that it might be a good idea to look into this. Coordinator s Report Dick Hammon reported that there were 226 individuals registered for the Accreditation Conference. This was the second highest attendance since the Accreditation Conference s inception. He also reported Douglass Township Police Department and Norristown Borough Police Department have requested a six month extension. Chief Cox made a motion to grant them an extension. Chief Murphy seconded the motion. All agreed. Director Hart made a motion to accept the Coordinator s Report. Chief Zydonik seconded the motion. All agreed. New Business Chief Gross indicated that the nomination of Chief Inspector Chad Ellis from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has been made to serve on the Commission in place of Chief Grayling Williams. A motion was made by Chief Ogden to accept the nomination to the Commission of Chief Inspector Ellis. Chief King seconded the motion. All agreed. For the Good of the Order Director Johnson discussed the possibility of retiring in the next couple of months from the Lower Paxton Township Police Department.

6 Page 6 of 6 Date of Next Meeting The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. and will be held at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, Lancaster, PA. Adjournment At 3:16 p.m., a motion was made by Chief W. Daly to adjourn; seconded by Chief Cox. All agreed and the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Andrea N. Sullivan Andrea N. Sullivan, Administrative Assistant Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association