WMPC March 26, 2009West Memphis City Council -Police Commission Meeting
March 26, 2009
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City Council Members Present:
Lorraine Robinson, Willis Mondy, James Holt, Phillip Carter, Taz Tyrone, Tracy Catt, Marco McClendon
David Peeples, City Attorney
WMPD Members Present:
Asst. Chief Mike Allen, Clark, West
- Ca{Ito order: Lorraine Robinson
- Prayer: Phillip Carter
- Old Buisness: None
- New Business:
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o Taz Tyrone nominated for secretary by James Holt, 2"d by. Willis Mondy, passed
o City Atty David Peeples outlined responsibilities of Police Commission on police policy and
procedures and the police commissions duty of reviewing these policies and procedures. He
also covered termination and hiring responsibilities. He also reminded the police
commission that they are Legislators not Administrators and the council members on the
police commission are given legislative immunity from lawsuits.
o Asst Chief Mike Allen outlined the WMPD hiring process. Discussed proper process for
citizen complaints towards the WMPD.
o Asst Chief Mike Allen presented two items to the police commission:
Reviewed "Toy Gun" ordinance from Beaverton, OR and stressed the need for West
Memphis to have a similar ordinance for "Toy Guns". He requested that the police
commission review the ordinance he presented and adopt a similar ordinance for
West Memphis and ad to the council agenda for the next meeting.
^ Requested an addition to the existing grooming ordinance for body art (tattoos,
body piercing and other manipulations to physical appearance) within the WMPD.
He asked for a limit of tattoos police officers can have and the placement of tattoos.
Basically, WMPD wants no tattoos visible when an officer is on duty. He presented
a sleeve cover up that the WMPD would like to make mandatory for officers to wear
to cover tattoos on officer's arms. WMPD has approximately 10 officers with
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tattoos.
o Clark, Sr. reviewed monthly hiring /termination /suspension / vacany update for the
WMPD (see attachment). He also distributed cd-rom copies of the WMPD policy and
procedures.
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o Citizen Complaints:
^ Sharon teeters -she was involved in an accident and the officer placed a $0 value
of damage on her citation. She was concerned that the insurance company would
not pay for damages. West explained that police are not claims adjusters and may
not observe all damage to vehicle. City Attorney Peeples said that police reports on
damage are not binding in insurance claims. Chief Allen requested to see vehicle.
^ Bridgette Turner- requested reimbursement for dentures that were broken during
her arrest. City Attorney Peeples said she would have to go to court to request any
reimbursement.
o Motion to adjourn: by James Holt, 2"d by Taz Tyrone