La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board

Minutes of a Regular Meeting

Meeting #:
Date:
-
Location:
La Mesa Police Department Community Room, 8085 University Avenue
La Mesa, California
Present:
  • Chair Leroy Johnson
  • Board Member Denise Carlson
  • Board Member John Fonseca
  • Board Member Dave Hardenburger
  • Board Member Aaron Landau
  • Board Member Susan Wayne
  • Board Member Sophia Wright
Absent:
  • Board Member Brianna Coston
  • Board Member Christian DeMent
  • Board Member Clifton Ewbank
  • Board Member Jeffrey Scott McIllwain
Staff:
  • Assistant City Manager Amanda Lee
  • Chief Ray Sweeney
  • Assistant to the City Manager Lyn Dedmon
  • General Counsel Dale Larson
  • Independent Police Auditor ("IPA") Rick Rasmussen
  • Deputy City Clerk Stacy Ready

1.
CALL TO ORDER

  

Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

1.1
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  

Chair Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.

2.
ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

  

2.1
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD MEMBERS

  

Board Member Wright, Young Adult representative, introduced herself and expressed her interest in serving on the Community Police Oversight Board.

Board Member Hardenburger, Helix Charter High School representative, introduced himself and expressed his interest in serving on the Community Police Oversight Board.

3.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES)

  

There were no public comments.

4.
CONFLICT DISCLOSURES

  

There were no conflict of interest disclosures.

5.
CURRENT BUSINESS

  

5.1
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD JANUARY 15, 2025

This item has attachments.  
  • Moved byBoard Member Wayne
    Seconded byBoard Member Fonseca

    Approve minutes.

    Yes (6)Chair Johnson, Board Member Fonseca, Board Member Wayne, Board Member Landau, Board Member Wright, and Board Member Hardenburger
    Absent (5)Board Member DeMent, Board Member Coston, Board Member McIllwain, Board Member Carlson, and Board Member Ewbank
    Motion Approved (6 to 0)

5.2
LA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES

  
  • STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT
  • PAST AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Board Member Carlson arrived to the meeting at 4:11 p.m.

Chief Sweeney provided an update on staffing and recruitments within the La Mesa Police Department ("LMPD").  He also commented on community events and activities that took place in January and February.

Following Board questions and comments, no action was taken.

5.3
INDEPENDENT POLICE AUDITOR UPDATES - 2024 FOURTH QUARTER

This item has attachments.  

IPA Rasmussen provided an overview of the Independent Police Auditor 2024 Fourth Quarter Report. Case Nos. 2023-08, 2024-03, 2024-04, 2024-05, 2024-06, and 2024-07 were reviewed and discussed.

Following Board questions and comments, no action was taken.

5.4
2025 COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD WORK PLAN

This item has attachments.  

Assistant City Manager Lee and Assistant to the City Manager Dedmon provided an overview of the draft 2025 CPOB Work Plan for submission to the City Council for approval.

Board questions and comments ensued.

  • Moved byBoard Member Hardenburger
    Seconded byBoard Member Wayne

    Accept the final draft of the 2025 Community Police Oversight Board Work Plan.

    Yes (7)Chair Johnson, Board Member Fonseca, Board Member Wayne, Board Member Landau, Board Member Carlson, Board Member Wright, and Board Member Hardenburger
    Absent (4)Board Member DeMent, Board Member Coston, Board Member McIllwain, and Board Member Ewbank
    Motion Approved (7 to 0)

5.5
COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR APPOINTMENTS

  

Chair Johnson opened the nominating period for the selection of Chair and Vice Chair for the Community Police Oversight Board.  Chair Johnson had reached his term limit to serve as Chair of the Board.

Board Member Fonseca was nominated to be Chair for the CPOB.  Chair Johnson was nominated to be Vice Chair for the CPOB.

  • Moved byChair Johnson
    Seconded byBoard Member Hardenburger

    Appoint Board Member Fonseca as Chair of the Community Police Oversight Board.

    Yes (7)Chair Johnson, Board Member Fonseca, Board Member Wayne, Board Member Landau, Board Member Carlson, Board Member Wright, and Board Member Hardenburger
    Absent (4)Board Member DeMent, Board Member Coston, Board Member McIllwain, and Board Member Ewbank
    Motion Approved (7 to 0)
  • Moved byBoard Member Fonseca
    Seconded byBoard Member Hardenburger

    Appoint Board Member Johnson as Vice Chair of the Community Police Oversight Board.

    Yes (7)Chair Johnson, Board Member Fonseca, Board Member Wayne, Board Member Landau, Board Member Carlson, Board Member Wright, and Board Member Hardenburger
    Absent (4)Board Member DeMent, Board Member Coston, Board Member McIllwain, and Board Member Ewbank
    Motion Approved (7 to 0)

6.
COMMITTEE REPORTS (3-MINUTE LIMIT)

  

There were no committee reports.

7.
STAFF AND BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

  

Board Member Landau shared that he attended a Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego workshop on homelessness in San Diego County and the disparities in resources for addressing it.

Board Member Wayne commented on the selection process of board members for the CPOB.

8.
ADJOURNMENT

  

Vice Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 5:02 p.m.

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