DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Citizen Police Review Board met July. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Citizen Police Review Board (CPRB) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, convened on July 24, 2025, at the DeKalb Police Department, 700 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois.

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Chair Maurice called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Board Secretary Melissa Neblock called the roll, and the following members of the CPRB were present: Maurice McDavid, Kelvy Brown, and Aimee Levine. CPRB Liaison Alderman Andre Powell was also present.

B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOTION: Mr. Brown moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Levine.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 3-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present.

C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

1. March 13, 2025

MOTION: Mr. Brown moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Ms. Levine.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 3-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present.

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

E. CHAIRMAN UPDATE

Mr. McDavid stated that he would like to continue in his role as Chair for another year, but will be looking to step down to spend more time with his children. He also said that he would like to schedule an upcoming meeting on the scenario-based training by the police for the board. He would also like to do group training during a meeting when there aren’t any complaints on the agenda through the NACOLE website. Ms. Neblock wanted to let the board know that she sends out the PowerPoint presentations that were part of the initial board training, along with the NACOLE information, to all new members when they are appointed. Mr. McDavid wanted to point out that Alderman Powell was attending the meetings as the council liaison. Mr. Brown stated that he was willing to be reappointed to the board at the end of the term he is currently serving if he were to be asked.

F. CASE REVIEW

1. 25CPRB04

2. 25CPRB05

3. 25CPRB06

4. 25CPRB07

5. 25CPRB08

Mr. McDavid explained that the board at this point needed to review the packets to decide it they would review the cases further in closed session or not, and that they have always taken every case that was against an officer in the city up to this point.

Mr. McDavid explained that the main job of the board was to determine if the officer broke policy, but the board can only review cases against officers in the city of DeKalb. Mr. McDavid wanted to bring up 25CPRB04 because he spoke with the complainant before the meeting. The complainant had already spoken to the police department after the complaint was filed and expressed that she didn’t know how to make a complaint just to the police department, so she submitted it to the CPRB instead. The complainant expressed to Mr. McDavid that she had already been in contact with supervisors at the police department and was satisfied with how they handled the complaint. At this point, Mr. McDavid said the complainant didn’t want her complaint heard by the board and to mark the outcome as did not hear at the complainant's request.

Mr. McDavid explained that the next three complaints (25CPRB05, 25CPRB06, and 25CPRB07) were from the same complainant, regarding the same incident and encounter with the same officers. Ms. Neblock explained the documents in the complaint packet due to it being Ms. Levine's first meeting.

Brief discussion ensued regarding the contents of the complaints.

The board unanimously decided to take the case.

Mr. McDavid then brought to the board's attention that the next case 25CPRB08 was clearly for DeKalb County, Georgia, and that this happens frequently. Mr. McDavid said that he would reach out to the complainant to let them know it was submitted to the wrong state. .

G. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Board Chair Maurice McDavid read the following Executive Session exemption title in its entirety:

1. The consideration of performance and/or discipline of employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).

2. The consideration of security procedures, and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, staff, the public, or public property pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/(2)(c)(8).

MOTION: Mr. Brown moved to recess for Executive Session; seconded by Ms. Levine.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 3-0-0 roll call vote. Aye: Maurice McDavid, Aimee Levine, and Kelvy Brown. Nay: None. Board Chair Maurice McDavid declared the motion passed and recessed the meeting at 6:21 p.m.

Following adjournment of the Executive Session, Board Chair Maurice McDavid opened the meeting to the public at 7:24 p.m.

H. CASE DECISION

1. 24CPRB05, 25CPRB06, 25CPRB07

Mr. McDavid stated that the board reviewed the case.

The board took a vote on if the complaint was founded or unfounded regarding:

Policy: Biased Enforcement 103.4, I. Officer Conduct and Responsibilities, Policy: Biased Enforcement 103.4, I. Officer Conduct and Responsibilities, A. Biased enforcement of individuals is strictly prohibited.1. In the absence of a report of criminal activity where the race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation of an individual will not be a factor in determining the existence of probable cause to place in custody or arrest an individual, or in constituting a reasonable or articulable suspicion that an offense has been or is being committed so as to justify the detention of an individual or the investigatory stop of a motor vehicle.

VOTE: Mr. McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Brown: Unfounded, Ms. Levine: Unfounded

Policy: Investigation Procedures 402.0, I. Preliminary Investigations: A primary function of police officers is to conduct preliminary investigations of crimes and other offenses. A properly conducted and documented preliminary investigation may be sufficient to bring the case to a satisfactory conclusion, thus obviating the need for a follow-up investigation.

VOTE: Mr. McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Brown: Unfounded, Ms. Levine: Unfounded

Policy: Crimes Against Property 402.2, 1. Respond appropriately; crimes against property in progress should receive an immediate and prompt response. Crimes against property not in progress will receive standard priority. 2. Meet with the victim/complainant and obtain their complete information.

VOTE: Mr. McDavid: Unfounded, Mr. Brown: Unfounded, Ms. Levine: Unfounded

I. APPROVAL AND NON-RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES

1. 03/13//2025

MOTION: Mr. Brown moved to not release the minutes; seconded by Ms. Levine.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 3-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present.

J. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Mr. McDavid pointed out that tonight is the third of the 6 meetings required for the year. Mr. McDavid stated that the scheduled date of the next meeting is also the first week of school which might be hectic. Ms. Levine suggested that the board could wait to see if there are any complaints that would need to be heard, and there would be a total of 3 members who are school staff. Mr. McDavid suggested keeping August 14th, and if Ms. Neblock could reach out to ensure we would be able to have a quorum.

K. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Mr. Brown moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Levine.

VOTE: Motion carried by a 3-0 voice vote of the CPRB members present.

Board Chair Maurice McDavid adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07242025-2723