By JONAH LOSSIAH
One Feather Staff
The EBCI Police Commission approved several updated policies for the Police Department and voted on their own by-laws in Thursday’s (April 21) monthly meeting.
The by-law in question was regarding open session and the involvement of media at the Commission meetings moving forward. Several Commissioners felt that media did not need to be in the meetings as much as they are. Kym Parker said that she was a strong supporter of the Cherokee One Feather but felt that the organization did not need to be involved in some discussions between the Commission. Chairperson Tunney Crowe advocated for less direct involvement of media in Commission meetings, with the Commission now crafting more detailed minutes for each meet.
This discussion continued when making amendments to the by-law regarding open session for their meetings. Hillary Norville made a motion to add language specifying who had a right to sit in on the meeting. Instead of stating that the ‘general public’ had access, the Commission amended the language to ‘anyone within the CIPD’s jurisdiction’, as well as anyone who was approved by the Commission who might fall outside of that jurisdiction. This move was approved 7-0. Kym Parker needed to step out of the meeting to attend to a personal matter.
Another amendment was made to the qualifications for moving into ‘executive’ or closed session. They had it prepared that there were six reasons the Commission could move into a closed session:
- To discuss questions regarding state and/or federal law and jurisdiction.
- Consult with an attorney.
- Discuss an investigation of criminal conduct.
- Address a complaint by or against the Committee.
- Monitor complaints made towards law enforcement officers.
- Discuss or review personnel actions.
However, Vice Chair Buddy Johnson made a motion to add language that the Commission was ‘permitted by but not limited to’ those options, giving the Police Commission authority to move into closed session at their discretion. This motion was passed unanimously by all present.
Coming into Thursday’s meeting, the plan of the Commission was to hold officer elections. However, the several commissioners were unclear on some of the language presented in the draft of the election and term guidelines. This draft was crafted by Chris Siewers, who usually sits in on Commission meetings. However, Siewers was unable to attend this meeting as he was on leave and traveling.
Unwilling to take a vote with the lingering questions, the Commission voted 7-0 to move the election until the next meeting. Vice Chair Buddy Johnson had not yet arrived and did not participate in this vote.
The Commission also reviewed and approved 10 policy changes for the consideration of Cherokee Indian Police Department. They addressed the following policies:
- Duty to Intervene
- Juvenile Operations
- Motor Vehicle Operations: General, Emergency, & Pursuits
- Motor Vehicle Stops & Searches
- Body Cavity & Strip Searches
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team
- Taser Handling and Deployment
- Use of Force
- Arrest Policy
- K9 Unit Deployment and Tactics
The reporting guests to the meeting were Patrol Captain Carrie Wade and Carla Nadeau from the Cherokee Indian Police Department. Each of them provided an update on the operations at the Police Department. Police Chief Josh Taylor was on annual leave during the week of the Commission meeting, so Captain Wade answered any questions on behalf of the CIPD.
The Thursday, April 21 meeting of the EBCI Police Commission was called to order at 12:05 p.m. with Chairperson Tunney Crowe; Secretary Anita Lossiah; and Commissioners Lisa Taylor, Frank Dunn, Kym Parker, Solomon Saunooke, and Hillary Norville present. Vice Chair Buddy Johnson arrived an hour into the meeting.
The next meeting of the Police Commission is set for Thursday, May 12 at noon. The Commission gathers monthly and has been meeting in the large conference room at the Ginger Lynn Welch Complex. These sessions are open to Tribal members until the Commission moves into an executive session.
