06-29-2020 Minutes (Special - Community Police Forum) CITY OF SALINA,KANSAS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
June 29,2020
6:00 p.m.
Mayor Hoppock asked the Clerk for verification that notice had been sent for today's City
Commission meeting. The Clerk replied yes.
The Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in Sam's
Chapel, Kansas Wesleyan University. Roll call was taken followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and
a moment of silence.
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Those present and comprising a quorum: Mayor Michael L. Hoppock (presiding), Commissioners
Trent W. Davis, M.D., Rod Franz, Melissa Rose Hodges and Karl F. Ryan.
Also present: Michael Schrage, City Manager; Greg Bengtson, City Attorney; and Cheryl Mermis,
Deputy City Clerk.
Mayor Hoppock welcomed all those in attendance and stated there were masks available at the
two entrance points as well at hand sanitizer. Mayor Hoppock addressed the items depicted on
the agenda, stated it was the goal for this meeting, to get through items 3.1, 3.2a through 3.2-d,
then proceed to item 3.4, the listening session with open microphone for citizen comments and
questions for the panel;reserving items 3.3a-3.3g for another time and/or another meeting.
ADMINISTRATION
(3.1) Introduction
Mayor Hoppock introduced Bishop Stephen Davidson the moderator for the community forum;
Bishop Davidson introduced Salina Police Chief Brad Nelson; Chief Nelson introduced fellow
officers in attendance: Deputy Chief Sean Morton, Captain Bill Cox, Captain Paul Forester,Captain
Gary Hanus, and Lieutenant Jim Feldman.
(3.2) Review and Response to Community Feedback to Date (City Staff)
Chief Nelson stated his appreciation to the City Commission and the City Manager for the
opportunity to address the citizen concerns that had been previously been voiced in previous city
commission meetings. Chief Nelson further stated that he believed that the Salina Police
Department (SPD) had some of the best policies and procedures in place due to the agency's
affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement [CALEA],but that there was
always room for improvement. Chief Nelson would consider changes to present policies and
procedures as long as any proposed changes do not place police officers or citizens at any
increased risk of injury.
(3.2a) Law Enforcement Advisory Board
Chief Nelson provided an overview of the Salina/Saline County Law Enforcement Advisory
Board,the role and Bylaws of the board.
(3.2b) Salina Police Department Participation in the Federal 1033 Surplus
Chief Nelson explained the SPD's participation in the 1033 Program, the equipment obtained, the
benefits of the equipment and any equipment that had been returned to the government.
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(3.2c) Use of Force Policy-Current Compared to Proposed
Chief Nelson explained the classroom training, scenario based training, the "best practice" policy
and procedures in-place, the Use of Force Policy, the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies standards [GALEA] and the CALEA requirement for annual analysis of use
2 of force reports,bias policing,internal affairs complaints, and pursuits.
(3.2d) Police Officer Interview,Hiring&Training Process
Chief Nelson provided an overview of the SPD hiring process stating it was a multi-phase process
including an application process; multiple interviews; extensive background check investigation;
questionnaires to references, former employers, school and various other contacts; various testing
requirements including the computer Voice Stress Analysis [CVSA] test and a written
psychological test; and attendance of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training and yearly training.
(3.4) Listening Session-Open Microphone
Darrell Wilson, Salina, a former SPD police officer and Saline County Sherriff, provided an
overview of an extensive career in law enforcement and continued to stated he had met Police
Chief Nelson and maintained other friendships within both the SPD and the Saline County
Sherriff's offices and believed both departments are doing a great job for Salina/Saline County.
Reverend Dee Williamson, Salina, made an inquiry as to if there were psychological testing on
candidates prior to employment with SPD. Chief Nelson replied yes, candidates that had
progressed to that stage in the multi-phase process, the individual was evaluated by an
independent, outside agency in Kansas City. Ms. Williamson further asked if an officer was
involved in aggressive situation whereby both officer and an individual undergoes drug testing,
especially in a case of an arrest involving drugs. Chief Nelson responded that if an officer was
showing signs of impairment or there was an officer-involved shooting, it is standard procedure
for an officer to undergo evaluation, the officer was put on administrative leave and must be
medically cleared for duty by KBI.
Phil Black,Salina, stated in the big picture way there was a clear disparity between people of color
who were incarcerated and wondered if anyone could share their thoughts. Chief Nelson stated
we don't see that; we don't decide race or gender as far as responding to a call, we arrest people
but there was no control over or convictions or prison sentences.
Miranda Bachman,Salina,asked who made the decision to make purchases from the 1033 Program
and if the City Commission had any part of that preliminary process. Chief Nelson stated
participation in the 1033 Program was free and required an application if staff determined a need
to replace equipment that was available through the program. Michael Schrage, City Manager,
stated the availability of surplus property or donations not viewed as a purchase, went before the
City Commission depending on the purchasing threshold.
Wayne Westplate, new resident to Salina, former police officer and lawyer, both defense and
prosecution, stated has observed both good and bad cops. He continued to provide his thoughts on
the local law enforcement and his appreciation and support of Salina police officers and would not
support defunding the police department.
Anonymous Female, Salina, directed her question to Chief Nelson and asked if he could address
The Blue Code of Silence. Chief Nelson stated he believed the practice had diminished over the
last ten years, people were now recording things that were happening and removing that veil. He
continued to state there were procedures in-place for reprimand which include termination, if a
situation presents itself. Chief Nelson responded to another question pertaining to hiring controls
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in place with regard to the transient law enforcement officer, reprimanded in another jurisdiction
that moves from town-to-town to continue abhorrent behavior.
Jack Hinnenkamp, Salina, stated as retired security administrator, he relayed his personal and
professional experience with SPD personnel, shared his appreciation for law enforcement and
acknowledged the hard work they perform. He continued to state he would not support
W defunding the Salina Police Department as the SPD was doing a great job for the citizens of Salina.
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Angela P., Salina, shared her concerns and belief on the Salina/Saline County Law Enforcement
Advisory Board.
Laneya Meyer, Salina, suggested that the City invest more money towards community wide
wellness programs that promote Peace,Love and Joy.
Stephanie Morell, Salina, asked for information on the number of arrests made in Salina and the
number that result in use of force that included percentages of people of color or demographics.
Chief Nelson stated that he did not have that information in front of him at the moment. Ms.
Morell would like to see distribution of resources within the community to be invested in
programs that would have more of impact for positive change and reduce the number of escalating
instances.
Mona Hargrave, Salina, stated she felt that the terms of defunding the police needs to be clarified,
provided a definition of defunding the police, use of the SPD budget and the need to provide more
money to the agencies that can help people in poverty.
Brian Frazier, Salina, provided information on cases in Salina he was aware of the use of excessive
force in the SPD and wanted to know the number of police officers involved, and whether there
were any disciplinary actions for the officers involved in those instances. Mr. Frazier provided his
thoughts on the process to recruit people of color for law enforcement positions and would like to
know the reasoning for the SPD not able to retain or recruit officers of color. Chief Nelson said he
could not speak on the 167 instances of easing of force but all cases were reviewed and started with
the Sergeant and works its way up, if there was a video that helped and fully supported body-
worn video and dashcam video. He continued to state when there was video that showed
excessive force, the department dealt with that appropriately.
Johnnie, Salina, wanted to know what kind of training or re-training occurred annually. Chief
Nelson stated, in addition to crisis intervention training; learning to recognize an individual that
may be having a mental health crisis, all officers are trained annually on every piece of equipment
that is worn on the service belt. He continued to state training took time and money, defunding
law enforcement will remove funding for officer training.
Jon Blanchard, Salina, stated his support for law enforcement and appreciated the work that they
do but also appreciates the young people that had come forward with their concerns and his hope
that the City Commission release a comprehensive plan to provide regular oversight to the
advisory board.
Juan Redmond, Lindsborg, stated he has experienced turmoil with law enforcement and wondered
if police officers were encouraged to attend programs and community events the ensure citizens'
trust and solidarity. Chief Nelson stated the SPD was moving away from drive-by policing and
getting out of the car by implementing a lot of initiatives Bigs In Blue Program with Big Brother
Big Sisters, Coffee with a Cop, Fishing with a Cop; trying to get out and build trust with the
community.
James Bowden, Salina, provided his thoughts on the opportunity to look at where improvement
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could be made, that all lives matter, and encouraged the Commissioners to listen to the people that
had spoken and take the concerns seriously.
Bishop Davidson thanked the citizens that came forward to speak, thanked the Commissioners,
City Manager and Police Chief Nelson stated that change starts with the person in the mirror and
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everyone need to evaluate ourselves.
Mayor Hoppock expressed his appreciation for Bishop Davidson, to moderate the community
forum and thanked Kansas Wesleyan University for allowing the use of Sam's Chapel.
Mr. Schrage stated that while the focus was currently on the police department that there are
issues beyond the police department that would necessitate further discussions and meetings and
city staff will look for a way to foster those discussions.
ADJOURNMENT
20-0204 Moved by Commissioner Ryan, seconded by Commissioner Davis, that the special meeting of the
Board of City Commissioners be adjourned. Aye: (5). Nay: (0). Motion carried. The meeting
adjourned at 8:01p.m.
[SEAL] Michael L. Hoppoc yor
A EST:
r
Chert'rer s, Deputy City Clerk
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