POLICE INTERNAL AFFAIRS AUDIT AUD20-

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This report is the third and final report received from the IA (Internal Audit) Dept. concerning the WPB Police Dept; The report consist of 24 numbered pages and I urge readers to read the entire report to fully understand the duties of the WPB Police Internal Affairs Dept.   I gave readers a synopsis of the audit below, and the Internal Auditor report goes into detail, and can be found at the end of the story.

Executive Summary

OVERVIEW

“The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) is a division of the City’s Police Department (PD) that serves as a mechanism for internal accountability. The goal of the IAU is to ensure all citizen and internal complaints of improper conduct against sworn members of the PD are systematically, objectively, and impartially investigated. • Internal complaints of a serious nature are typically investigated by the IAU. The IAU is composed of one IA Commander and three investigators, including one Lieutenant and two Sergeants. Investigations are classified as Citizen Complaints, Administrative Departmental Investigations, Internal Affairs Investigations, and Critical Incident Team Investigations.  The Internal Affairs Unit uses the IAPro system to store pertinent information necessary to manage, oversee, and control the receipt, processing, and investigation of complaints. The IAU also uses the Blueteam program, which interfaces with IAPro, and was designed to facilitate electronic filing of incidents while in the field.”

Background

“The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) is a division of the City’s Police Department (PD) that serves as a mechanism for internal accountability. The goal of the IAU is to ensure all citizen and internal complaints of improper conduct against sworn members of the PD are systematically, objectively, and impartially investigated.

Complaints of inappropriate PD member behavior can be filed anonymously, in person, by telephone, letter, or online. Citizen complaints are typically investigated by field supervisors. However, depending on the nature of the complaint the Chief of Police assigns the IAU to conduct the investigation. Internal complaints of a serious nature are typically investigated by the IAU. The IAU is composed of one IA Commander and three investigators, including one Lieutenant and two Sergeants. Investigations are classified into four types: 1. Citizen Complaints, 2. Administrative Departmental Investigations, 3. Internal Affairs Investigations, 4. Critical Incident Team Investigations.

During the audit period, there were a total of 291 investigations as shown in the table below, broken down by type.”        Please read page 1 for the table.

Internal Affairs Employee Survey

“We conducted a survey of all PD members to capture views and opinions on various aspects of the internal affairs function. A total of 104 surveys were received of 338 surveys distributed (31% responded).”      Please read page 2 for survey results.

Statement of Scope  “The scope of the audit included all investigation types during the audit period, which was from January 2018 to October 2020.

Statement of Objectives,

The objectives of this audit were to:

Statement of Methodology   

We utilized several audit methodologies to gather evidence and achieve the objectives. These techniques included, but were not limited to:

Statement of Auditing Standards

We conducted this audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives.”    Please read page 3

Audit Conclusions and Summary of Findings

Our assessment of the internal affairs function, including the internal controls, indicated that the PD would benefit from implementing measures to address areas of improvement as follows: Data collection, review, and analysis, Policy compliance, Community engagement and community outreach.

Noteworthy Accomplishments

In November 2019, the PD created an independent Use of Force Review Board (the Board) in an effort to build transparency and hold officers accountable. The Board discusses new laws and updates training practices. At the discretion of the Police Chief, the Board also reviews use of force incidents within the department. Please read page 4.

Police Department Organization Chart. Please read page 5

Opportunities for Improvement

“Complete and Accurate Data Condition There is no formal policy that states when and how the data in IAPro should be entered and reviewed to ensure uniformity, consistency, and completeness. Data analytics1 performed of Internal Affairs case information stored in IAPro disclosed issues related to the completeness and accuracy of the data in the following three areas: 1. Complainant Racial Data, 2. Investigation Turnaround Time, 3. Officer Years Of Experience.”

Criteria

“Collecting, tracking, and reporting accurate and complete data is a necessity for law enforcement agencies in today’s environment. When utilized at their full capability, data systems like IAPro can be used to enhance public safety, improve officer performance and transform organizational culture.”

Cause

“IAPro is used as a repository of case data, not as a tool to proactively and continually analyze the data to identify opportunities to improve the process or officer performance.”

Effect

“Incomplete and inaccurate data hinders the department’s ability to conduct in-depth analyses and make data driven decisions regarding officer performance.” Internal Auditor made four recommendations Recommendation 1a, Recommendation 1b, Recommendation 1c, Recommendation 1d,”    and can be read in it’s entirety on pages 6-8

2. Policy Compliance

“Condition Internal and external complaints are not always processed in compliance with key requirements of the Internal Affairs policy (SOP IV-22). An in-depth review of 109 (48%) of the 225 cases in our sample showed a total of 122 (9%) instances of noncompliance with policy requirements”

Result of Policy Compliance Analysis, Criteria and Cause, along with Recommendation 2 (A&B), Management Response 2  A&B. Can be read on pages 9-11

3. Quality Review of Investigations

Condition

“We performed a quality review of a judgmental sample of 15 completed Internal Affairs investigations from the 109 cases that we evaluated for policy compliance (see Finding 2). The cases were selected based on complexity and the seriousness of the circumstances. The quality review focused on the investigation process and included related deviations from policies and procedures. As a result, we identified opportunities to improve the quality of investigations in 13 of the 15 selected cases. Examples of areas of concern included:” Criteria, Cause and Effect, Recommendation 3, A&B, Management Response 3 A&B, Can be read on page 12&13.

4. Monitoring Use of Force Incidents

Condition

Background: “All incidents involving the use of force are investigated at the platoon level (Shift Commander) whether or not any misconduct occurred. All results of the investigations are submitted to the Police Chief to determine whether the incident a. warrants an additional investigation by Internal Affairs, b. if the incident is justified, or c. if it is a minor violation. The documentation is stored within software that is managed and controlled by Internal Affairs.”

Empty Data Fields, Total Use of Force Incidents and Other Violations, Criteria, Cause, Effect, Recommendation 4       A, B & C,

Management Response 4         A, B & C       Can be read on page 14-16

5. Undocumented Key Control Procedures and Training

Condition

“An evaluation of key elements of the Internal Affairs function indicated that improvements can be made within the processes to communicate and interact with citizens and the community:”

Complaint intake, Complainant communication throughout investigations, Citizen outreach program, Criteria, Cause, Effect, Recommendation 5 a,b,c,d,e & f, Management Response 5 “The Police Department Management agrees with the recommendation.” Can be read on page 17 & 18.

6. Administrative Departmental Investigations

Condition

“We found that a procedure for investigations conducted by line supervisors, known as Administrative Departmental investigations (AD investigations), is not specifically documented as a department procedure.”

Criteria, Cause, Effect, Recommendation 6 a,b,&c, Management Response 6 “The Police Department Management agrees with recommendation.” Can be read on page 19

Exhibit A – Quality Review Case Summaries

“To ensure the quality and accuracy of our assessment, we reviewed our results with management. However, it should be noted that according to applicable laws and regulations, the following cases do not appear eligible to be reopened. Therefore, the findings from this review should be used for training purposes and to strengthen officer and department performance.” There are a total of 15 case samples and can be read on pages 20-24.

Below is the WPB Internal Audit Report report on the WPB Police Internal Affairs Dept.

Police Internal Affairs Audit Report AUD20-05(1)

On a personal note:

The school board has approved a new chief for the district police force and her name is Sara Mooney, former WPB Police Chief. Chief Mooney has always been about the kids and I watched her for years interact with them on our monthly Peace Walk. She wanted to reach the kids before the gangs did. I wish her well in her new position.

“Downtown Merchant Meeting, May 4th at 5pm O’Shea’s Pub 531 Clematis St. on the Patio. Please circulate flyer to any business owners, managers or property owners. Our goal is to keep you informed and give you an opportunity to ask questions and voice your opinions. The Downtown Merchant Group is an independent organization of business and property owners.”  Hope to see you there.

The end