City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes - Final

Citizens Police Review Board

Council Chambers

City Hall

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

6:00 PM

Regular Meeting

701 East Broadway

Columbia, Missouri

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. INTRODUCTIONS

Rhonda Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Board Members Present: Rhonda Carlson, Stephanie Coleman, Reece Ellis, Douglas

Hunt, Steven Jeffrey, Cheryl Miller, Xavier Lee Scruggs

Excused Absence: Brandon Barnes and Jamie Thornsberry

Unexcused Absence: None

Staff Present: Sgt. Julie Ray and Rose Wibbenmeyer

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

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Steven Jeffery made a motion to approve the agenda. Xavier Lee Scruggs seconded the

motion. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

May 10, 2023 Minutes Draft

Attachments: 05-May 10 Meeting Minutes-Draft

Doug Hunt made a motion to approve the May 10, 2023 meeting minutes. Reece Ellis

seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

May 10,2023 Closed Meeting Minutes

Steven Jeffery made a motion to approve the May 10, 2023 closed meeting minutes.

Xavier Scruggs seconded the motion. Cheryl Miller abstained. The motion passed with

Rhonda Carlson, Stephanie Coleman, Reece Ellis, Douglas Hunt, Steven Jeffrey, and

Xavier Lee Scruggs voting in favor of the motion.

V. SPECIAL ITEMS

VI. OLD BUSINESS

History of the Citizens Police Review Board

Representative David Tyson Smith and James Figueroa-Robinett Jr. talked about the

history of the formation of the Citizens Police Review Board. They shared their views

regarding the community’s expectations of the Board.

Election of Officers-Chair and Vice Chair

Doug Hunt nominated Reece Ellis for Chair. Cheryl Miller seconded the motion. The

motion passed unanimously.

Cheryl Miller nominated herself for vice chair. Rhonda Carlson seconded the motion. The

motion passed unanimously.

Review of Policy 447, Body Worn Cameras

Attachments: Police Policy 447

Reece Ellis suggested that the board hold a special meeting to discuss policies 300 and

447. The Board reached consensus on having a special meeting and staff is to schedule

a special meeting for review of the policies and for suggestions on policy changes.

Rhonda Carlson supported the idea and expressed appreciation for comments by Susan

Renee Carter. Xavier Scruggs also noted appreciation for Rebecca Shaw’s written public

comment regarding proposed policy changes.

Review of Police Policy 300, Use of Force/Response to Resistance

Attachments: Police Policy 300

Audits

The Board discussed their progress on auditing 2022 complaints.

Cheryl Miller reported that Cheryl Miller, Brandon Barnes, and Stephanie Coleman were

auditing files on search and seizure complaints. Stephanie Coleman completed two

audits. Cheryl completed one audit and their work is ongoing. Reece Ellis reported that

Rhonda Carlson, Reece Ellis and Doug Hunt were looking at discourtesy complaints.

Rhonda Carlson said that the group completed audits of three 2022 discourtesy

complaints which the group determined were compliant and that one 2022 complaint file

is still under review.

Steven Jeffrey reported that Steven Jeffrey, Jamie Thornsberry, and Xavier Scruggs

completed audits on seven 2022 complaints related to use of force. The group

successfully reviewed all seven.

Doug Hunt explained the audit process used by the Board.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

VIII. REPORTS

There was no new business.

Outreach Subcommittee

The Board discussed the upcoming Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The

outreach subcommittee would like to meet on July 12, 2023 at 5:15 p.m with the

brochure as new business. Cheryl Miller made a motion to use city funds to purchase

water and Gatorade not to exceed the amount of $75.

Rhonda Carlson seconded the motion.

The motion passed unanimously.

Human Rights Commission

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

Positive Connections and Ridealongs

Xavier Lee Scruggs, Doug Hunt, Rhonda Carlson, Cheryl Miller, and Stephanie Coleman

reported attendance at the NACOLE webinar on use of force.

IX. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF

Reece Ellis announced the time limits for individuals and groups.

Members of the public commented. Chriss Jones spoke on behalf of Hold CoMo

Accountable. Susan Renee Carter spoke and distributed the document with her

recommended changes. Tracy Wilson Kleekamp spoke about Juneteenth, training, what

is de-escalation, police should regularly audit their body cam video, use of force report

and its unavailability on their website, Senate Bill 26, and how to request information from

the police. James Robinett provided information regarding the name of the individual from

the Office of Civil Rights who assisted with the process of their efforts to establish civilian

oversight prior to the City’s formation of the citizens police review board.

Board members and staff commented. Sgt Ray is still waiting on a decision from the

Assistant Chief related to Xavier Scruggs’ request for information on homelessness.

Doug Hunt talked about who can file a complaint, how an appeal can come to the Board,

and the volunteer advocate program.

There were additional comments from staff and board members, including comments

about the use of council chambers and televising the meeting.

Reece Ellis mentioned adding room arrangements to the next agenda.

X. MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

At 8:04 p.m., Cheryl Miller made a motion to go into closed session to discuss records

which are protected from disclosure by law, Sections 610.021(14) and 590.502 RSMo.

Rhonda Carlson seconded the motion. Rhonda Carlson, Stephanie Coleman, Reece Ellis,

Douglas Hunt, Steven Jeffrey, Cheryl Miller, and Xavier Lee Scruggs voted in favor of the

motion. No one voted against the motion. No one abstained.

At 8:05 p.m., the open session ended. The Board proceeded to room 2A for closed

session.

Analysis of 2022 Complaints

Discussed in closed session.

XI. NEXT MEETING DATE

Next meeting: July 12, 2023.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

The Board adjourned from closed session at 9:25 p.m.