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Community Review Board approves case findings, recommends training and disciplinary follow-up in multiple OPA reviews
Summary
The Community Review Board approved closure and review recommendations for multiple Office of Professional Accountability investigations, endorsing training for cultural competency and additional oversight steps in several cases; it also noted the chief must respond in writing to the board's recommendations within 45 days.
The Community Review Board approved its review of several Office of Professional Accountability cases and recommended follow-up actions including training and added disciplinary charges in at least one instance.
In a case involving Officer Jacob Snyder, the board endorsed staff recommendations that OPA add a profanity violation to its findings and consider additional cultural-competency training after a complainant said the officer called him “dog” and told him “that’s how I talk to everyone in the projects.” The board approved the recommendation that OPA revisit the disciplinary category and training for the officer.
In a second case involving Officer Igor Dimitrovay and Sergeant James Reese, the board concluded its review found supervisor deficiencies. The board’s report said OPA did not substantiate bias-based profiling but sustained findings that Sergeant Reese violated self-control and performed deficiently; the board recommended additional de-escalation and professionalism training for the supervisor and asked OPA to include narratives with its conclusions in future closures.
A separate review involving Officer Tyler Hall and Sergeant Kimberly Forsyth concerned alleged high-speed operation of a Metro vehicle. That file used AVL/TrackStar data to verify speeds. Both officers accepted pre-investigative settlements and received written reprimands; OPA’s investigation was described as complete and satisfactory.
Board members discussed the CRB’s role after closure. The CRB’s report and recommendations are forwarded to the police chief and the mayor; under the existing MOU, the chief must respond in writing within 45 calendar days to indicate whether he accepts, partially accepts or rejects the recommendations and to explain the department’s reasons and any actions taken.
Board members said the CRB will track whether recommended training and disciplinary steps are implemented and that the board’s reports and the chief’s written responses will be posted on the board’s public portal.
