Call Meeting to Order

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
   Minutes: The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m.
   
   Others in attendance:
   
   Sheriff John Rutherford, JSO
   Ms. Lucy Nalpathavehil, WJCT Radio
   Ms. Brenda English, Communications,
   Ms. Jackie Brown, African-American Contractors
   Mr. Roger Weeder, Channel 12
   Mr. Rick Lewis, JSO
   Ms. Lauri Ellen Smith, JSO
   Assistant Chief Michelle Remolde, JSO
   Mr. Charlie Pearson, JSO
   Ms. Tia Milton, Florida Times Union
   Mr. Jim Pigot, Channel 4
   Mr. Ron Littlepage, Florida Times Union

Agenda
1. Items to be discussed

1. DISCUSSION WITH SHERIFF REGARDING TASERS
   Minutes: Sheriff Rutherford stated that he has attended 16+ town hall meetings thus far. The Sheriff's Office is working well with the City of Jacksonville. A question asked is, "Why do we need tasers at all?" and "Why do we need this tool?" Tasers literally save the lives of suspects, officers and citizens. This issue is the most misreported in the 31 years that he has been in law enforcement. There has only been one lawsuit from over 50,000 applications from officers complaining about tasers. Excited delirium is the cause...not tasers. Sheriff Rutherford explained the physiological changes that occur in a suspect prior to a police officer arriving.
   
   Tasers are important on every officer including Resource Officers. When a police officer loses physical confrontation, many times die or are killed with their own gun. A student could apprehend the officer's gun and shoot other students and/or personnel. The compromise situation is that we put tasers on School Resource Officers - all officers wear the same uniform and have the same task. We limit the application on students.
   
   Speakers:
   Ms. Jackie Brown, African-American Contractors
   Ms. Kris Barnes, Board Member
   Ms. Brenda Priestly Jackson, Board Member
   Sheriff John Rutherford, JSO
   Ms. Betty Burney, Board Member
   Mr. Tommy Hazouri, Board Member
   Ms. Nancy Broner, Board Chairman
   Ms. Martha Barrett, Board Member
   Ms. Vicki Drake, Board Member
   
   Sheriff Rutherford said that he can't promise that a School Resource Office will never improperty tase or use his firearm. If they use poor judgment, they will be held accountable. Officers are men and women of character and are skillfully trained/challenged. Officers that step out of line are disciplined and Sheriff Rutherford is not adverse whatsoever. We'll deal with it if it occurs. Officers do not abuse pepper spray.
   
   The Chairman said that she wants the same thing - a safe environment for our children. Our core mission is to educate children in a safe and caring environment. Tasers have created a sense of mistrust - a new tool in our country. A new era just like when pepper spray came out. People are not comfortable with tasers. You believe they will enhance safety but also creates fear. The taser issue will govern our entire relationship with the School Resource Officers. They are an important component in our schools. We need to talk about the contract, training and safety inour schools. I don't want tasers to drive a wedge between us. Will this add or detract from the learning environment? That's when learning takes place.
   
   Speakers:
   Sheriff John Rutherford, JSO
   Ms. Nancy Broner, Board Chairman
   Ms. Kris Barnes, Board Member
   
   Dr. Nancy Snyder, Superintendent, stated that we're presently in a process - a committee working on expectations under Lisa Moore, Office of Policy and Compliance. A moratorium for one year is trust. We need to step back and evaluate what trust parents have in that particular School Resource Officer - he has the best interest of all children. We must consider, "Do we have the right person in the job?"
   
   Speakers:
   Ms. Martha Barrett, Board Member
   Ms. Brenda Priestly Jackson, Board Member
   Sheriff John Rutherford, JSO
   Mr. Tommy Hazouri, Board Member
   Ms. Betty Burney, Board Member
   Ms. Vicki Drake, Board Member
   
   Sheriff Rutherford finalized the discussion stating there is a tremendous misconception of what a School Resource Officer is to do - their mission. Let's sit down with the school administrators and talk. The issue of public trust is huge. I understand what people are saying...you can't demand it but you must earn it. We have to fight not only individual circumstances in Jacksonville, but we must deal with the cases from out of town which impact us here in Jacksonville.
   
   If we can delay a decision at this time and look at the tools themselves. Review the reports and observe the number of lives being saved by the usage of tasers, this will begin to build trust. Look at the tools and rules of engagement and sit down with the committee. We don't have to start August 1st with the School Resource Officers. Let's work on our public trust and get a history with the tool and local area; not on a national level. Let's have another meeting and make a decision.
   
   The Chairman commended Sheriff Rutherford for his efforts and town meetings. You're listening to our concerns. There's no time certain on the moratorium. Let's build trust and the Board appreciates your working with us. Let's come to a common ground.
   

Adjournment

1. ADJOURNMENT
   Minutes: The meeting adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
   
   
   
   lsd