LIVE @ Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) 04/03/19

Asheville CPAC Meeting Recap: Police Chief Search, Crime Trends & Committee Updates

The Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) convened on April 3, 2019, with a full agenda focused on the ongoing police chief search, community safety concerns, and internal committee procedures. The meeting was attended by CPAC members, city officials including Public Information Officer Christine Hollancy from the Asheville Police Department (APD), and concerned citizens. This recap summarizes key discussions, decisions, and next steps for residents to understand the committee's work.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on the search for a new police chief. CPAC received an update from Christine Hollancy detailing extensive community engagement efforts undertaken by the APD, including online town halls, surveys, and outreach to various community groups. While CPAC provided valuable input into shaping the job description – ensuring it reflects community priorities – a key discussion clarified CPAC’s advisory role under North Carolina law. The committee acknowledged that the City Manager ultimately makes the hiring decision, based on recommendations from Police Executive Research Firm (PERF). CPAC members emphasized the importance of proactively communicating this advisory role to the public, managing expectations and addressing potential concerns that may arise during the search process.

Beyond the chief search, CPAC received a detailed crime statistics report from Douglas, highlighting concerning trends across Asheville’s various neighborhoods. West Asheville experienced a significant increase in overall crime, particularly motor vehicle theft and assaults. East Asheville saw a doubling of residential burglaries compared to the previous year, alongside increased shoplifting and assaults. A concerning number of overdoses were also reported in March, concentrated in West Asheville, underscoring the ongoing crisis. The committee acknowledged these trends and their impact on residents' safety and quality of life, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue with APD about addressing these issues.

The meeting also included several important decisions and updates regarding CPAC’s internal operations. The minutes from the previous quarter were approved, and a motion to add an update on the police chief search to the agenda passed. Perhaps most notably, CPAC voted to submit a resolution to City Council proposing updates to the committee’s Rules of Order. These proposed changes include modernizing language (replacing "sergeant" with "police officer" and "chief of police" with “chief or designated”), and correcting an inaccurate listing of committee member count. Councilman Young clarified that these updates should be submitted to the Board of Commissions, not the Public Safety Committee.

Community input was welcomed during the meeting, with one resident suggesting a 6:00 PM meeting time to better accommodate working individuals. The committee is considering this feedback for future scheduling decisions.

Looking Ahead: Several action items emerged from the meeting, ensuring continued progress on key priorities: Carl will secure a location for the May 1st CPAC meeting. CPAC staff will draft the resolution regarding Rules of Order updates for submission to City Council. Christine Hollancy (APD) will provide an update on the number of police chief applicants received after April 15th. Finally, CPAC members were encouraged to actively communicate with the community about their advisory role and limitations, particularly regarding the police chief search. Residents can expect further updates on these matters in future CPAC meetings and communications from the city.