I. CALL TO ORDER

Board Members Present: Brandon Barnes, Rhonda Carlson, Stephanie Coleman, Reece

Ellis, Douglas Hunt, Steven Jeffrey, Cheryl Miller, Xavier Lee Scruggs, and Jamie

Thornsberry

Excused Absence: None

Unexcused Absence: None

Staff Present: Sgt. Julie Ray, and Rose Wibbenmeyer

Members of the public were present. Councilperson Betsy Peters was present.

Reece Ellis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. INTRODUCTIONS

There were introductions.

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Reece Ellis made a motion to approve the agenda. Steven Jeffery seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Reece Ellis would like his name corrected in the work session minutes. Reece Ellis

made a motion to approve the September 13, 2023 regular and closed meeting and the

corrected Sept 14, 2023 work session minutes. Stephanie Coleman seconded the

motion. The motion passed unanimously.

September 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Draft Minutes

Attachments: 09 Sept 13 Meeting Minutes-Draft

September 13, 2023 Closed Session Draft Minutes

September 14, 2023 Work Session Draft Minutes

Attachments: 09 Sept 14 Work Session Minutes-Draft

V. OLD BUSINESS

Review of Police Policies 300, 306, 440, and 447

Attachments: Police Policy 300

Police Policy 306

Police Policy 440

Police Policy 447

This item was passed.

Hiring Process for New Police Chief and Board's Recommendation Letter

The Board discussed the hiring of the new police chief and its recommendations for

attributes. Reece Ellis announced that he and Jamie Thornsberry worked on a

recommendation letter. Reece Ellis read the recommendation letter. Xavier Scruggs made

a motion to approve the letter drafted by Jamie Thornsberry and Reece Ellis. Rhonda

Carlson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Reece Ellis talked about the police chief candidates and the community forum for the

candidates. Doug Hunt announced that the interviews will be the following day and two

board members (Reece Ellis and Doug Hunt) will be on an interview panel. Jamie

Thornsberry would like the letter to be given to those persons on the interview panels.

NACOLE Conference

The Board discussed the NACOLE Conference. Cheryl Miller announced that tonight

would be her last meeting and that the Human Rights Commission did not appoint a

replacement.

Audits

Audits are ongoing and there additional updates since last month’s report. Board

members provided the following updates.

Rhonda Carlson reported that they reviewed four complaints and one under consideration.

Cheryl Miller reported that they met on September 24, 2023. They fully reviewed one.

Cheryl Miller recused from one matter, and Brandon Barnes and Stephanie Coleman

reviewed that one. Brandon Barnes and Stephanie Coleman will decide their next meeting

due to Cheryl Miller’s departure. The group will have a recommendation that they would

like to discuss in the future.

The final group finished their audits previously.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

Proposed Amendment to Bylaws, Article I, Section 3(a)

Attachments: Proposed Bylaw Changes-Draft

The Board discussed the three options for changes to Article I, Section 3(a). Doug Hunt

made a motion to approve option 1 to change Article I, Section 3(a). Rhonda Carlson

seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

September 14, 2023 Work Session Debrief

The Board discussed the September 14, 2023 Work Session. Doug Hunt recommended

the changing of the word “shall” to “must” based upon a Department of Justice report

regarding confusion on the meaning of shall. Reece Ellis said that the Board will continue

to have discussions regarding policy changes. The Board would like staff to schedule

another work session to discuss policy 447.

Scheduling of Future Special Meetings

The Board discussed scheduling of future special meetings. City staff was asked to

check for dates and availability of rooms.

VII. REPORTS

Human Rights Commission

Cheryl Miller gave a report about the work of the Human Rights Commission. Cheryl

Miller said they tabled the appointment of a new member to the CPRB and stated that

tonight was her last meeting.

Outreach Subcommittee

There was no report.

Positive Connections, Training and Ride Alongs

Rhonda Carlson complimented Doug Hunt’s editorial in the Columbia Missourian. Rhonda

Carlson also complimented a police officer Matthew Kempker who took a police report on

a theft. She said he was very patient and asked a lot of good questions. Steven Jeffery

said he met with new recruits recently. He gave an overview of the role of the board. Doug

Hunt announced that he attended the annual training of officers on October 3, 2023. Doug

Hunt said he learned a great deal and the Board members should attend these sorts of

training in the future. Doug Hunt may have some recommendations coming out of it.

VIII. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF

Reece Ellis announced the time limits for individuals and groups.

Members of the public commented. Susan Renee Carter commented on behalf of Race

Matters Friends. Susan Renee Carter thought the work session was fabulous. Susan

Renee Carter said that she had read the de-escalation definition before, but had not

realized the impact until the group was in the room talking together. Susan Renee Carter

complimented the Board’s recommendations on the characteristics of a police chief and

encouraged the Board to explore the backgrounds of the candidates. She encouraged the

board to stay on top of how police define de-escalation.

Chriss Jones spoke on behalf of Hold CoMo Accountable. Chriss Jones reiterated Susan

Renee Carter’s comments on the work session. Chriss Jones also spoke in favor of the

Department of Justice’s view of the words “shall” and “must.” Chriss Jones

said their group heard of racial discrimination involving a woman’s son in the Sixth Ward.

Chriss Jones encouraged the Board to do some more outreach because so many people

did not know what to do.

Board members commented. Jamie Thornsberry expressed thanks to Rhonda Carlson

and Cheryl Miller for their service. Jamie Thornsberry also expressed appreciation for

Stephanie Coleman and Steven Jeffery for re-applying. Rhonda Carlson said the Board

members have such respectful conversations, despite coming from different backgrounds

and different perspectives. Cheryl Miller echoed what Rhonda Carlson said about the

Board being in a good spot.

Steven Jeffery made a motion to go into closed session to discuss records which are

protected from disclosure by law, Sections 610.021(14) and 592.502 RSMO. Xavier

Scruggs seconded the motion. Brandon Barnes, Rhonda Carlson, Stephanie Coleman,

Reece Ellis, Douglas Hunt, Steven Jeffery, Cheryl Miller, Xavier Lee Scruggs, and Jamie

Thornsberry voted in favor of the motion. No one voted against the motion. No one

abstained. The motion passed. Open session ended at 6:47 p.m. and the Board moved to

room 2A for closed session. The Board adjourned the meeting from closed session at

8:55 p.m.

IX. MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

Appeal CPRB 2023-003

Analysis of Complaints

Audit of 2022-0056

X. NEXT MEETING DATE

Next Regular Meeting(s) November 8, 2023

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Steven Jeffery made a motion to go into closed session to discuss records which are

protected from disclosure by law, Sections 610.021(14) and 592.502 RSMO. Xavier

Scruggs seconded the motion. Brandon Barnes, Rhonda Carlson, Stephanie Coleman,

Reece Ellis, Douglas Hunt, Steven Jeffery, Cheryl Miller, Xavier Lee Scruggs, and Jamie

Thornsberry voted in favor of the motion. No one voted against the motion. No one

abstained. The motion passed. Open session ended at 6:47 p.m. and the Board moved to

room 2A for closed session. The Board adjourned the meeting from closed session at

8:55 p.m.

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disability, please call 573-874-CITY (573-874-2489) or email CITY@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in

making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in

advance of the posted meeting date as possible.

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are no longer permitted for delivering files or presentation materials. A speaker who desires to

display a presentation must upload the presentation, in advance, to the city network using an

upload portal. To upload your files and learn more, visit CoMo.gov/upload. (Effective Jan. 1,

2023)