HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Several proposed changes to the Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council are set to be introduced at the Huntsville City Council meeting on Thursday, June 24.
Agenda item 14.g., sponsored by council members Frances Akridge, District 2, and Bill Kling, District 4, aims to codify several changes to HPCAC, including expanding the number of members from 10 to 13.
Section 2-2132 | Purpose of HPCAC
The proposed changes in Section 2-2132 update and replaces the currently existing language of the code. The new Section 2-2132 would read as follows:
- To promote productive police and community interaction by assisting the police in achieving a greater understanding of the complex social fabric of the community.
- To provide an effective organization that will address the concerns of the community by promoting cooperative citizen-police programs that will improve the outcomes of police and citizen interactions and community policing. The HPCAC advocates the principle that the administration of equitable law enforcement includes community involvement and personal responsibility.
- To recommend procedures, programs, organizational structure or legislation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the police department.
- To keep the chief of police, city council, and the mayor apprised of actions taken by the department which create community concern or controversy.
- To foster trust between the police department and the community, thereby ensuring equal protection and service for all citizens.
Section 2-2133 | Role of HPCAC
The proposal entirely rewrites Section 2-2133, which defines the role of HPCAC. The new Section 2-2133 would read as follows:
The HPCAC will serve in an advisory capacity to the police department on behalf of citizens regarding issues relevant to police and community relations including, but not limited to:
- Reviewing a summary of all complaints on record with the internal affairs division and evaluate trends;
- Evaluating conditions of employment (both civilian and sworn personnel) including recruiting, hiring, training, disciplinary actions, firing, and promotional practices of both civilian and sworn personnel;
- Participating in the annual report and strategic plan outlining objectives, challenges, and successes;
- Participate in the Incident Review Board.
Section 2-2134 | Responsibilities of HPCAC
Proposed changes to Section 2-2134, the responsibilities assigned to HPCAC, build on the existing code. The proposal defines an Incident Review Board, which would review officer use of force incidents. The new Section 2-2134 would read as follows:
- To conduct themselves in a manner becoming of a member of the Advisory Council and its role.
- To meet on a monthly basis with command staff of the police department and when meetings are deemed necessary either by the HPCAC chairman or the chief of police.
- To review a summary of the disposition of all complaints or disciplinary actions from the internal affairs division and request additional information about a case, as needed, in order to make recommendations to the chief of police.
- To participate on a rotating basis after training on use of force in all officer involved shooting incidents, also known as an incident review board.
- To provide a quarterly summary of activities to the city council.
- To proactively engage citizens across all socio-economic sectors to foster better police and community relations.
- To facilitate communication between the police department and the community regarding general issues and concerns expressed by citizens that have been presented to individual members of the HPCAC, a police officer, or brought before the HPCAC during a scheduled meeting. The HPCAC is not, in any circumstance, a replacement for the activity of the internal affairs division and will not submit a complaint on behalf of a citizen to the internal affairs division.
- To aide police in identifying trouble areas requiring special police or other governmental actions.
- To educate citizens with regard to police responsibilities and limitations.
- To provide opportunity for the development of mutual understanding and respect between citizens and the police.
Section 2-2135 | Membership of HPCAC
The proposed changes to Section 2-2135, which defines the membership of HPCAC, include the expansion of the number of members from 10 to 13 and further defines how each member would be appointed. The new Section 2-2135 would read as follows:
- The HPCAC shall be comprised of citizens who are respectful of community needs and perceptions and invested in public safety or police and community relations as demonstrated by participation in activities such as: promoting community watch initiatives, safety festivals, citizen police academy.
- HPCAC members shall be appointed by city council and the mayor with the intention to represent the community at large.
- HPCAC members must be citizens of Huntsville and pass a background check performed by the internal affairs division of the police department. No member shall have any pending criminal charges or convictions for crimes within the last ten (10) years.
- The HPCAC shall be made up of thirteen (13) members. The members shall be appointed as follows: three (3) by the mayor from the city at large and two (2) by each member of the city council with places as follows: Places 1, 2 & 3: Mayor at large
Places 4 & 5: Council member District 1
Places 6 & 7: Council member District 2
Places 8 & 9: Council member District 3
Places 10 & 11: Council member District 4
Places 12 & 13: Council member District 5 - At the enactment of this ordinance, places shall be appointed for not more than a twoyear term to end on October 31 of an even numbered year. As initial terms expire, all subsequent terms shall be for two (2) years ending on October 31 of an even numbered year. Terms shall not exceed the term of the appointing authority.
- Members must demonstrate a willingness to commit themselves to community service for at least two years and conduct themselves in a manner becoming of and consistent with the HPCAC’s purpose.
- The HPCAC shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary in the first meeting after November 1 of each year to serve a one-year term.
- The HPCAC will be supported by staff of the city communication department and an administrative assistant employed by the city to publish meeting notices, minutes, and promote outreach activities planned by the members and approved by the officers.
Section 2-2136 | HPCAC Meetings
The proposal only makes a minor change to Section 2-2136, which defines when and how HPCAC meetings should be held. The only proposed change to this section specifies where in the Alabama state code that closed meetings are permitted:
- All meetings shall be held in a public forum at a timeframe or manner conducive to public participation and announced in advance. Closed meetings may be conducted as permitted in accordance with the Code of Ala. 1975, §36-25A-7.
The remaining parts of this section are unchanged and read as follows:
b. The HPCAC will meet on a monthly basis or as needed, to be determined by the chairman and the chief of police.
c. All requests for information from the council regarding the police department will be forwarded to the chief of police.
d. The HPCAC will address concerns which may require action outside the scope of the police department’s authority by forwarding the concern and recommendations to the mayor and city council for action.
e. Problems or concerns that can be addressed by the police department shall be forwarded to the chief of police.
Section 2-2137 | Duties of HPCAC Officers
The new proposal introduces minor changes to the wording and procedures of Section 2-2137, which defines the duties of HPCAC officers. The new Section 2-2137 would read as follows:
- Chairman.
- The chairman shall preside over all meetings of the HPCAC in a manner conducive to its purpose.
- The chairman will forward all written communications including minutes from the HPCAC to the chief of police, the mayor, and the city council.
- Vice-chairman. The vice-chairman shall preside in the absence or inability of the chairman, or when requested to do so by the chairman.
- Secretary.
- The secretary or their designee shall record the minutes of all HPCAC meetings.
- Minutes shall be made available to all members on or before the next scheduled meeting and available to the public upon acceptance by the council.
- Notices shall be sent to all members reminding them of HPCAC meetings (dates, times, and locations).
Section 2-2138 | HPCAC Attendance
Proposed changes to Section 2-2138, which defines HPCAC attendance requirements, make a change to the number of missed meetings. The new Section 2-2138 would read as follows:
Members are expected to attend meetings. Any member missing more than three meetings in a 12 month period may be replaced by the appropriate appointing authority.
Section 2-2139 | HPCAC Resignation
The proposal rewrites Section 2-2139, which defines how members resign from HPCAC. The new Section 2-2139 would read as follows:
When a member can no longer fulfill their duties, the member should submit a letter of resignation to the appointing authority. It will be the responsibility of the original appointing authority to appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired term.
These proposed changes are set to be introduced at the Huntsville City Council meeting on June 24.
Council rules do not allow an ordinance to be adopted in the same meeting in which they are introduced unless it receives unanimous consent of those present for immediate consideration.
The current code defining HPCAC can be found on the city of Huntsville's website.