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02.14.24 IPM ReportCity of BoulderFebruary 2024 Boulder Police Oversight Panel Meeting Independent Police Monitor’s Report 1 February 2024 Boulder Police Oversight Panel Meeting Independent Police Monitor’s Report Boulder Police Oversight Panel Full Case File Review Data ▪Full case file review(s) completed in January 2024: 1 (MI2023-011) ▪Full case file review(s) completed and pending BPD disposition: 1 (MI2023-011) ▪Cases awaiting Panel review: 2 (MI2023-034, MI2023-035) Completed Cases since January 1, 2024 MI2023-006 MI2023-006 (1 of 2) Two women engaged in an argument in a grocery store parking lot. The first woman’s brother and the second woman’s boyfriend subsequently became involved in the conflict. The boyfriend called 911 and alleged that a black male (brother) had threatened him with a gun in a grocery store parking lot. BPD officers identified the described vehicle and occupants and conducted a high-risk traffic stop. Officers 1 and 2 approached the suspect vehicle, with handguns drawn and pointed. Officer 2 issued instructions. Officer 3 pointed a rifle at the vehicle and issued commands. Officer 4 pointed his handgun at the suspect vehicle and instructed that only a single officers should provide instructions to the subjects of the vehicle. Officer 5 pointed a rifle at the vehicle and briefly officers 6 and 7 also briefly pointed their handguns towards the vehicle. The driver (sister) and her brother, the passenger) exited the vehicle and were handcuffed without incident. The brother denied ever having a gun or mentioning he had a gun. His sister reported that her brother did not have a gun but offered that he told the other man that he had a gun and threatened to shoot the other man. No gun was recovered. The brother was arrested for menacing and for an outstanding warrant. Evidence demonstrated that BPD dispatched received clarifying information from the boyfriend that he had not actually seen a weapon displayed. This information was not broadcast to the responding officers. Allegations Panel Recommendations Department Determinations Officers 1-7: • Rule 5 (Police Authority and Public Trust)−conducted a high-risk traffic stop • Rule 6 (Use of Force)/General Order 225 Use of Force−pointed a firearm at the suspect vehicle Officers 1-7: Exonerated Officers 1-7: Exonerated MI2023-006 (2 of 2) Additional Recommendations Police Oversight Panel Recommendations Department Determinations The Panel recommends that BPD dispatch supervisor review the matter and counsel the dispatchers on the need to broadcast critical information to responding officers. According to BPD Chief Herold, the dispatch officer has been counseled. The Panel advises BPD to ensure that body worn camera compliance is enforced at all levels of supervision and considered whenever BPD supervisors review BWC (including during standard review of Use of Force incidents or for the approval of BPD reports) According to BPD Chief Herold, the officers have been counseled. Consistent with the City of Boulder’s dedication to racial equity, BPD must work to ensure that BPD members do not perpetuate or amplify racism when they respond. BPD Chief Herold: “I acknowledge the Oversight Panel’s concern that the information provided by the 9-1-1 caller from the victim of the menacing was “Accepted non-critically.” When dealing with a serious, ever evolving call involving a report of a weapon (in this case a gun), the dispatcher must provide the most accurate information in the fastest manner possible to ensure the responding officers, the reported parties involved, and the community at large face the least amount of risk. It was only with the benefit of hindsight, which is true in many cases, that some of the information provided by the caller turned out to be inaccurate.” The Panel furthermore advises BPD to critically review how it addresses and trains its members to respond to high-risk traffic stops. BPD should reevaluate this practice to ensure that is aligned not only with best practices, but also the BPD’s stated commitment to de-escalation, dignity and respect, and the sanctity of all human life. BPD Chief Herold: “In terms of the Oversight Panel recommendation to assess what they perceive as outdated high risk stop tactics, we as a department do, and will continue, to assess the tactics we teach to our officers.” January 2024 Boulder Police Oversight Panel Meeting Independent Police Monitor’s Report: Docket January 2024 Monthly Case Statistics ▪Number of complaints that IPM classified: 4 ▪Misconduct: 3 ▪Serious misconduct: 1 ▪Community inquiries:0 ▪Conflict Facilitation Process:1 ▪Interviews IPM observed: 5 ▪Critical Incident Scene response: 1 ▪BPD investigations IPM deemed thorough and complete:0 ▪Case investigations BPD closed:1 (MI2023-006) Open Docket ▪As of February 6, 2024, open IPM-BPOP docket:16 ▪Number of complaints that IPM classified: 4 December 2023 Boulder Police Oversight Panel Meeting Independent Police Monitor’s Report January 2024 Boulder Police Oversight Panel Meeting Independent Police Monitor’s Report: Community Engagement Guest speaker at the City of Boulder Human Relations Commission meeting. Attended multiple events hosted by the NAACP and University of Colorado Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS). Met one-on-one with leaders in the Boulder area Black community.