College Place City Council

Meeting Notes by Frances Chvatal

Meeting Date  April 8, 2025

Time     7 pm.   Location             625 S. College Ave, CP

Presiding Officer           Mayor Norma Hernandez

Council / Board Members Present Norma Hernandez, Michael Cleveland, Tito Espinoza, Lorne Peterson, Melodie Williams, Heather Schermann.  Absent: Jessup, Boyle 

1.             CALL TO ORDER

Norma Hernandez called the meeting to Order at 7:01 pm

2.             APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Approved minutes from 4/8 as presented. Consent agenda approved

3.             PUBLIC COMMENTS -  NA

4.             OLD BUSINESS - NA

5.             NEW BUSINESS

Swearing in new police officer 

Police Chief Tomaras conducted the swearing in of Captain Kris Schweigert.  

Decision/Actions Taken            Congratulation to Captain Kris Schweigert

2024 CPPD Annual Report - Chief Tomaras

This is a 20 page powerpoint presentation.  It is available on the CP web site.  Highlights include:  Review of organizational chart, mission, vision, goals and values to include Every member of the College Place Police Department is part of a team who inculcates courage, commitment, community and character in their daily operations through open and honest cooperation, service, respect and diversity.  Two new members of the department are young female officers Kates and Gonzales.  

POLICE PATROL SERVICES

The table below compares activity for 2023 and 2024. Arrests were up 72% in 2024 over 2023, Cases were up 45%, Incidents up 22% , tickets more than doubled, and traffic stops were up 49%.

Table Comparing Police Activity 2023 and 2024

INVESTIGATION UNITS

The College Place Police Department has two detectives who handle complex cases, which require special training, resources and/or time to solve crimes. Typically, our detectives investigate felony cases which if proven, could result in a prison sentence. Additional duties include assisting patrol with follow-up, interviews, evidence collection, latent fingerprint and photographs. 

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER 

Our SRO’s duties include mentoring and working with students, acting as liaison between the school, parents and police department, providing training to students and staff on security, anti-bullying, social media dangers, traffic safety, law and justice. The SRO also assists with truancy, checking on the health and welfare of students and the investigation and deterrence of criminal activity. 

SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 

The Special Enforcement Officer (S.E.O.) is a limited commission position which focuses on Code Enforcement, Animal Control and Parking violations. This position also serves as the department evidence and property custodian. The majority of the S.E.O. calls gain compliance through education and awareness. 

ACCREDITATION 

The College Place Police Department (CPPD) is one of 80 fully accredited agencies out of 267 police departments across the State of Washington. Accreditation professionalizes law enforcement through best practices while ensuring industry standards are met and followed. Benefits of accreditation include increased competencies, strict standards and credibility which increases public trust. The CPPD first achieved accreditation in 2020 and re-accredited in 2024. (The department was gifted 46K dollars for sustaining accreditation.  Funds were used for operational improvements).  

DRONE PROGRAM

New in 2024.  Used to facilitate the work of the Police Officers.  Coordinates with WWPD’s drone program.  

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

When an allegation of misconduct or violation of policy against one of our employees occurs, we conduct a thorough investigation while protecting and respecting the rights of everyone involved.  Data was presented on the workflow for these issues.  

CRIME AND TRAFFIC STATISTICS and PURSUITS 

Data was presented.  Pursuits are down from 2022 (consistent with change in law).  All officers are trained in safe pursuit techniques.  Crime stats are variable, increase drug activity.  Details available in the report. 

Decision/Actions Taken (Any decisions made or actions taken, including votes if applicable)    No action taken.  Appreciation from Council for the work of the PD.

CPPD BIAS REPORT 2024 - CHIEF TOMARAS

Summary of the Discussion      Bias-based policing is described as the inappropriate reliance on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic status, age cultural group, disability or affiliation with any non-criminal group as the basis for providing differing law enforcement service or enforcement. According to state law (RCW 43.101.410),

CPPD COMPLIES WITH THIS RCW IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS :

·      Biased-Based policing policy established 

·      Established a complaint process Supervision and review  Training. 

·      Data was presented broken out by demographics.  Also presented was the current city demographics.  This data suggests that intervention by PD is consistent with demographics and growth.  Also, all police are equipped with body cameras in College Place. 

GENERAL SEWER PLAN AND ROSE STREET LIGHTING DESIGN

Explanation Sewer plan and funding .  Support through the Department of Ecology, 70K.  

Rose Street lighting design reviewed.  This project has evolved from original plans requiring additional funding through TBA, 261K.  

Decision/Actions Taken (Any decisions made or actions taken, including votes if applicable)    Both projects were approved. 

6.    COUNCIL REPORTS

Several upcoming community events described.  Council is very enthusiastic about these activities as they contribute to the esprit de corps of College Place. 

7.             ADJOURNMENT  at    8:05 pm

Date of Next Meeting                  04/22/2025

Additional Notes: Council members were engaged and happy.  They are proud of their city.