Citizens Police Review Board Regular Meeting - August 13, 2025
Citizens Police Review Board Regular Meeting - August 13, 2025
The Citizens Police Review Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, a discussion on wrong address incidents, a public comment period, and a motion to go into closed session.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as written by unanimous voice vote.
- Approval of Minutes: The draft open session minutes from July 9, 2025, and the draft closed session minutes from July 9, 2025, were both approved by unanimous voice votes. Board members Doug Hunt and another member recused themselves from the closed session minutes vote as they were not present at that meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. [Name not fully clear – speaker identified as a 71-year-old retired doctor and 53-year resident]: The speaker alleged that the Columbia Police Department (CPD) and Boone County authorities falsely accused, arrested, and incarcerated him for over five years, including 5.5 years awaiting trial and two years in solitary confinement. He claimed he was fully acquitted on all charges and that his property worth over $12.5 million was taken. He stated that he has an ongoing federal lawsuit against CPD and the City of Columbia. He also described a recent incident where he requested records under the Missouri Sunshine Law and received 250 pages of evidence, witness testimony, and other materials. He expressed frustration with the lack of accountability and the board's limited powers. His time was cut off at three minutes per board rules.
Discussion Items
- Business Cards Update: The board received new business cards and flyers. Board members can request additional supplies. Several members expressed satisfaction with the design.
- Wrong Address Incidents Discussion (New Business): Board Chair Doug Hunt presented a detailed discussion on wrong address incidents, citing the U.S. Supreme Court case Martin v. United States (unanimous decision, remanded to lower court) and a personal experience from 1974. He raised four questions for Assistant Chief Richard Horrell regarding policies, procedures, training, and follow-up to avoid wrong address errors. Assistant Chief Horrell responded by distinguishing between search warrant executions (no known wrong address incidents in the last 30 years in Columbia) and calls for service (more variable due to caller error). He described verification steps, after-action reviews, and the role of the city's risk management process for property damage. He stated that the department apologizes when mistakes occur and that such procedures are part of policy. Board members asked follow-up questions about the nature of entry and the handling of swatting incidents. The discussion concluded with no formal action taken.
Key Outcomes
- Board Vacancy Update: Staff reported two vacant positions with three applicants. Interviews are scheduled for the pre-council meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025, and the city council is expected to make appointments at the regular meeting that evening. The board will likely be at full strength by the next meeting.
- Closed Session: The board voted unanimously (roll call vote: all members present voted yes) to enter closed session to discuss records protected from disclosure under Missouri law (Sections 610.021(14) and 590.502, RSMo), specifically updates on CPRB cases 2025-0004, 2025-0005, and review of use-of-force complaints. The open session was adjourned to closed session.
- Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
And so I'm going to call the meeting of the Citizens Police Review Board to order. We'll start as we usually do with introductions, and I think we'll start with Assistant Chief Horrell and go around this way. My name is Richard Harelma, Assistant Chief of Columbia Police Department. Harry Castle, board member. Ed Robinson, board member. Denise Flazic, board member. Doug Hunt, board chair. Steve Jeffrey, board member. Stephanie Coleman, board member. Earl Krause, City Law Department. Aiden Oliver, City Management Fellow. Stephanie Brown, Special Projects Manager in Liaison. All right. Welcome everyone. We'll first have a motion to approve the agenda unless somebody sees corrections that need to be made to it. I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda as written. So moved. Second. Yeah, take your choice. Denise might have been a split second earlier. Okay. It's been moved and properly seconded to approve the agenda. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. And then approval of the minutes. I think everyone's had a chance to look at them. So we've got the draft open session minutes from July 9th. I'll entertain a motion to approve the draft open session minutes from July 9th. Coleman, I'll make a motion. I'll second the motion. Been moved and seconded to accept the draft open session minutes from July 9th. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. And then we've got the draft closed session minutes July 9th. I was not here, so I will be recusing myself on this vote. Likewise. Okay. So a motion from someone else would be welcome. Yeah, I'll make a motion. Coleman. I'll second it. Been moved and seconded to accept the draft closed session minutes from July 9th. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed.
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