LIVE @ Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) New Member Orientation 8/7/18

Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) Orients New Members, Addresses Procedural Matters

The Asheville Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) held an orientation meeting on August 7, 2018, welcoming four new members: Sean Hedow (returning as Vice-Chair), Allison Scott, Cliff Johnson, and Blake Bartlett. The meeting provided an overview of CPAC’s role in providing citizen oversight to the Asheville Police Department (APD) and aimed to familiarize new members with the committee's structure, responsibilities, and procedures.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedural matters related to past meetings. While attempting to approve minutes from May, June, and July, the committee encountered a challenge: it was determined that earlier meetings (June and July) lacked a quorum due to member absences, rendering any votes taken at those meetings invalid. Consequently, only the minutes from May 2nd were approved. This highlights the importance of consistent attendance to ensure CPAC can effectively carry out its duties and adhere to open meetings laws. The committee discussed the possibility of adopting formal rules of procedure, potentially utilizing a template from the City Clerk, to streamline future meetings and ensure proper quorum requirements are met.

Beyond procedural discussions, Lieutenant Everhart from the APD provided updates on recent restructuring within the department. This includes new lieutenant assignments for each patrol district and changes in command roles across various units, including CID and CIS Ops Support. Residents can find detailed information about APD resources and district contact information on the city website: https://astrol.c.gov/police. Lieutenant Everhart also announced upcoming National Night Out events across Asheville, encouraging residents to participate in community gatherings and engage with local law enforcement.

During the meeting, Sarah Trelliger, Deputy City Clerk, clarified CPAC’s purpose as an advisory board making recommendations to the City Council. She emphasized key duties, including reviewing police policies, investigating citizen complaints (with a detailed explanation of the investigation process), and providing input on policing strategies. New members were reminded about ethical conduct, quorum requirements (requiring five members present), and the annual report CPAC is obligated to submit to City Council.

The meeting concluded with several key decisions and action items. Blake Bartlett volunteered, and the committee agreed, to serve as interim chair until the next meeting. The next CPAC meeting is scheduled for September 5th at 5:00 PM in the same location. Members were encouraged to submit agenda items for consideration at that meeting, demonstrating a commitment to addressing community concerns and shaping policing practices. Finally, the committee recognized and thanked Carol for her seven years of dedicated service to CPAC, and acknowledged the return of a police officer who had been on leave following an assault.

What This Means for Asheville Residents: CPAC plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the APD. The committee's ongoing efforts to formalize procedures, understand departmental changes, and engage with the community demonstrate a commitment to providing citizen oversight. Residents are encouraged to actively participate in CPAC meetings and submit agenda items to contribute to a safer and more equitable Asheville.