1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: September 13, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Michael Albanese, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Discussion of Roles and Duties of the Police Commission
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction, if any, to staff and /or the Police Commission regarding Council’s expectations of the roles, duties, responsibilities, and/or assignments for the Police Commission.
BACKGROUND
At the April 5, 2022, City Council meeting, Council Member Schultz requested that the Council have a discussion regarding direction for the Police Commission prior to the joint meeting with City Council and the Police Commission. The joint meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2022. There was concurrence that Council should have this discussion prior to the joint meeting for Council dialogue regarding the roles a nd responsibilities for the Police Commission.
DISCUSSION
The City of Burbank Police Commission is established by the Burbank City Charter, Article 7. Boards, Commissions and Committees, Section 705. Police Commission (Attachment 1), which states:
(a) There shall be a Police Commission, the size and membership of which are to be determined by the Council.
(b) The Police Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To initiate studies and surveys in the general field of police science and law enforcement and report its findings and recommendations to the Council;
2. To conduct hearings, investigations, or both, at the request of the Council for the purpose of ascertaining whether additional legislation is needed for POLICE
DEPARTMENT
2 the health, safety, peace and welfare of the inhabitants of the City and to make findings and recommendations to the Council;
3. To act in advisory capacity to the Council on policy matters pertaining to the Police Department of the City;
4. To receive complaints, except those relating to traffic engineering, pertaining to the Police Department and law enforcement in general;
5. To examine books, papers, records, and accounts in the Police Department, other than confidential matters under investigation.
(c) The Council or the City Manager may assign other powers and duties to the Commission as they shall deem appropriate. (Added by Charter Amendment approved by the voters on April 10, 2007.)
The defined Police Commission powers and duties listed in the City Charter are also enumerated in Burbank Municipal Code section 2-1-413: Police Commission, E. Powers and Duties of the Commission (Attachment 2).
The Police Commission is comprised of seven members and meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm. The Commission discusses various topics related to policing practices and the polic ies and operations of the Police Department , such as training, legislation, programs and services, and crime statistics . At the June 15, 2022, Police Commission meeting, the Commission established an annual calendar of agenda items that coincides with many nationally observed law enforcement and outreach initiative recognition months (Attachment 3). These agenda items will be reviewed on an on-going basis in addition to any other topics introduced for discussion on future meeting agendas as directed by the Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
The Police Commission, on behalf of the community at the direction of City Council, provides advisory and monitoring oversight regarding law enforcement practices and policies in the City of Burbank. Staff recommends Council provide direction to staff and/or the Police Commission, if any, regarding Council’s expected roles, duties, responsibilities and/or assignments for the Police Commission.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1: Burbank City Charter Section 705: Police Commission Attachment 2: Burbank Municipal Code Section 2-1-413: Police Commission Attachment 3: Police Commission Fiscal Year Schedule of Meeting Agenda Items