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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services Minutes 3-21-22 Minutes City of Cottage Grove Public Services Commission Meeting March 21, 2022 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Public Services Commission Meeting was held on March 21, 2022. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Steve Ingram Podoll, Jeff Kath, Ron Rediske, Lise Kons, Lisa Serpico, William Members Absent: Dornsbach, Robert Staff Present: Burfeind, Ryan – PE, Public Works Director/City Engineer Redenius, Rick – Fire Chief & Deputy of Public Safety Rinzel, Greg – Deputy Director of Public Safety & Police Captain Orloff, Gary – Street Supervisor Others Present: Justin Olsen, Councilmember Approval of Agenda Agenda - Approved - Motion by Kath and seconded by Serpico Approval of Minutes January 17, 2022 - Motion by Podoll and seconded by Kath Open Forum None Presentations Use of Force – Greg Rinzel, Deputy Director of Public Safety Rinzel started the presentation by saying all police agency collect use of force data differently. Use of force data collected is dependent on the organization. Cottage Grove Police use best case best practices when they collect use of force data. Rinzel explained to the Commissioners the force options: Pre-force tactics Multiple officer response Time – Distance – Cover technique Contact and cover Verbal commands De-escalation Empty hand Techniques Escort holds Pressure point and joint manipulation holds Takedowns Striking Less Lethal Options OC Spray PepperBall Taser 40mm Impact 12ga Impact K9 Lethal Options Lethal Cover Firearm Vehicle Other Pursuit Interventions PIT PIT/TVI Blocking Spike Strips Rinzel added pre-force tactics are intended to enhance safety and prevent avoidable force. Cottage Grove Police personal must report force, actual and threatened. Rinzel gave examples of actual force and threatened force. Ingram asked if the officers bring all the weapons to the incident and what is the process. Rinzel answered the weapons are with the officers but they will know what their role is before they arrive on the incident by direction being given to them over the radio. Which weapon will be effective is dependent on time, distance, cover and number of officers. Officers are always looking to deescalate the situation before weapons are displayed or deployed. Rinzel gave an example of a recent case at East Ridge High school where a call came in of a potential person with a gun. Rinzel added there were 40 officers at the school in 10 minutes from all the surrounding Cities. Rinzel stated the following are the reporting, investigating, and reviewing responsibilities for the CG police force: Officer Complete a detailed narrative incident report and supplemental use of force report Sergeant Respond to the scene Gather information Interview subjects and witnesses Collect evidence and insure proper documentation Notify command staff as needed Review supplemental use of force report ensuring accurate and thorough documentation Review Committee Meet quarterly to review all incidents involving force. Record, track, and trend use of force data Review use of force trends Provide consultation to command staff Rinzel presented contextual statistics to the Commissioners. Rinzel informed the Commission the following occurred in 2021 31,846 calls for service 75 incidents involving force 99 subjects involved 157 threats of force or display of a weapon 79 actual applications of force Rinzel was careful to remind Commissioners application of force includes the threat of the use of a weapon and/or display of a weapon. Force was involved in only 0.24% of calls for service in 2021 and deadly force incidents were used in 0.001% of calls for service in the last 3 years. Force is a response to information dispatched to police and the subject’s actions. It is used to protect the officers and the community. A large percentage of force is used as a precaution responding to a potentially dangerous individual or incident. Rediske asked what attracts perpetrators to Cottage Grove. Rinzel responded quick access to highway 61, the casino and Walmart. Rinzel added there are groups that will target an entire area and hit multiple locations at once with theft. Rinzel continued his presentation stating a display or threat of less lethal force is commonly used as a de-escalation tactic. This generally works and actual deployment is reduced. When less lethal tactics are ineffective officers are encouraged to layer multiple less lethal options; unarmed tactics, pepperball, and taser. Rinzel changed his presentation from use of force to demographics stating the Cottage Grove police department is committed to fair and impartial policing. And they closely monitor data and continue to provide implicit bias and diversity training. Rinzel presented date that broke down arrests by race, residency, gender, and age. Ingram questioned the absence of Latinos on the graph. Rinzel responded the State recognizes Latinos as white. Rinzel continued with a graph about injuries. This graph showed in injuries sustained; Officers 3 minor injuries that required no additional treatment Subjects 2 minor injuries that required no additional treatment 4 paramedic evaluations 3 transported to hospital (per policy, subjects impacted by less lethal munitions must be transported to the hospital for evaluation) No significant injuries occurred in 2021 Rinzel added this data shows the safety of the Police forces tactics and effectiveness of their training. In all cases a review would be conducted to ensure the proper tactics were used. In 2021, 100% of force incidents were deemed reasonable. 5% of force cases were identified as an opportunity to improve training, tactics, equipment, or policy. 0 cases were referred to command. In 2021 there were 9 total use of force incidents (4 occasions with the same person) and 0 citizen complaints against the department regarding use of force. Rinzel added this shows our tactics are and training are effective. Rinzel moved to talking about crisis intervention. Rinzel stated Cottage Grove police updated its guidelines, practices, resources, and training for interacting with subjects experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis giving the Commissioners a break down of de-escalating techniques and an overview of the Cottage Grove Case Management Unit. Next, Rinzel spoke about high-risk search warrants with regards to the updates the police force has made to policy to follow new legislations governing no-knock and nighttime search warrants. Cottage Grove Police executed 1 no-knock nighttime search warrant in 2021while investigating an alleged possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon with information that the firearm was used in a homicide. Rinzel shared training recommendations with Commissioners which included: Continue emphasis on risk mitigation tactics and de-escalation strategies, especially in incidents involving vehicles Continue emphasis on prevention of taser/weapon confusion Continue emphasis on recent statute and policy changes Review panel training committee development Rinzel showed Commissioners the current training plan stating that training is an investment in our officers, our organization, and our community. Cottage Grove’s annual training plan is a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach that is meant to; Exceed MN POST board standards Promote professionalism and development Ensure proficiency in all duties Ensure compliance with relevant laws, policy, and societal expectation Promote best practices Rinzel added police misconduct is increasingly costly. Minneapolis PD paid $71 million in the past two decades, including $27 million to the Floyd family last year, to settle police misconduct. Cottage Grove Police policies, practices, training are ahead of the reform curve. Cottage Grove averages 150 hours per officer per year with the minimum requirement being 43 hours every 3 years. Rinzel added all the policies the State is changing Cottage Grove had already implemented. Ingram thanked Rinzel for the very informative and insightful presentation. Rinzel added he appreciated the support from the Commission and the City Council and is blessed to have the support of the community. Rediske added a thank you to Council for funding the Explorer Program. New Business None Old Business None Response to Previously Raised Commission Requests None Commission Comments and Requests None Staff Reports and Educational Material Utilities – Hydrant flushing April 12, 2022, weather permitting Engineering – Mill and Overlay project on roads that are 15 to 20 years old to prolong the life of the road. No assessment for mill and overlay projects Crack and Seal project will be on the Grove side this summer. Material prices have increased 10 to 20% Supply chain issues Streets – Spring Cleanup will be May 7, 2022 Street Sweeping April 5, 2022, weather permitting Working on catch basins Patching roads Tree trimming Buckthorn pickup April 27 and April 28, 2022, weather permitting Currently have road restrictions in place Police – 2 new officers in field training 2 CSO’s in training and looking to fill a couple CSO spots 2 reserves are moving up Fire – Personnel We have completed the background process for PT. Three candidates have moved to hiring. 1 – In fire training at Century College 1 – should be starting soon 1 – delayed in hiring, was hired FT by Woodbury Fire so waiting for his FTO for there to be complete. We are currently down to 27 PT staff We still have two FT out on medical leaves Calls for Service September – December 2021 EMS – 294 Fire/Rescue – 70 Other Items Firefighter banquet on Saturday the 19th. We had approximately 65 current or retired F’s and significant others attend. Several awards were given out including Firefighter of the Year to Alex Wiesner. Ice rescue training on Feb 5th went well. We will be coming into budget season soon, so we are preparing for the 2023 and 2024 budget process. Part of that process will be updating our vehicle replacement schedule and forecasting future staffing needs. Council Comments Councilmember Olson explained he was a Public Safety Commissioner before a Councilmember. Olson added he has always been an advocate for Public Works and Public Safety and highlighted some opportunities he has had to be at Police scenes and see firsthand how situations are handled. Olson emphasized the importance of the public taking the time to know what is really happening in these situations not just getting their information from social media or in some cases news media. Olson asked the Commissioners to try and help the community see the dedication and professionalism the departments use when conducting their jobs. Olson continued with his passion for the Hero Center and the importance to provide training and equipment to our officers to keep them and members of our community safe. Olson switched focus to items the Council has been working on which included: Renewal by Anderson 4th expansion 574 new housing permits issued and the impact that makes on the infrastructure of the community and the level of service provided Pizza Ranch is coming to CG Budget and the addition of staff to manage the community Mississippi Dunes plan adding the park and access to the Mississippi river will be amazing. Golf course and Ice Arena were both profitable this year New chef at River Oaks Serpico stated he is unhappy with the trucks coming and going from Renewal by Anderson. Burfeind stated there will be some new ways to access the location with the expansion that includes new loading and unloading on the west side of the building and a left turn lane added for trucks so they will not being slowing the 50 mph road. Commission Comments None Adjournment – Motion to adjourn Kath by and seconded by Podoll, Meeting adjourned at 8:31pm