Title
Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh Code, Title One - Administrative, Article IX - Boards, Commissions and Authorities, Chapter 178 - by adding Section 178D , entitled, Establishment of Pittsburgh Domestic Violence Advisory Board.
Body
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1.
The Pittsburgh Code, Title One - Administrative, Article IX - Boards, Commissions and Authorities, Chapter 178 - Community Advisory Boards, is hereby supplemented by the addition of Section Section 178D as follows:
I. Establishment of Pittsburgh Domestic Violence Advisory Board
The Pittsburgh Domestic Violence Advisory Board shall be created to provide policy guidance and make recommendations to the Public Safety Department about best practices for law enforcement response to Domestic Violence.
In accordance with best law enforcement practices and with advice from the Domestic Violence Advisory Panel and oversight from the Director of Public Safety, the Chief of the Bureau shall maintain a policy about officer response to call(s) when domestic violence is suspected or discovered with at minimum: the expectation to make victim safety and protection a priority; and tactics for initial approach and response when calls for service are interrupted.
For the first 24 months after the effective date, the Bureau of Police shall implement and maintain the Domestic Violence Lethality Assessment Program - Maryland Model ("LAP") which will include Zone Based Advocates. During the initial pilot period, the Public Safety Director and Chief of Police shall have the responsibility of ensuring that all Bureau personnel are trained to perform the protocols of the LAP. Thereafter, assessment of lethality of domestic violence incidence calls shall be in accordance with best law enforcement practices and with advice from the Domestic Violence Advisory Panel.
II. Domestic Violence Advisory Panel Members
The Advisory Panel shall consist of thirteen (13) members who are experts from organizations and institutions serving the needs of domestic violence victims. Said members shall include but not be limited to at least seven (7) representatives from area organizations serving domestic violence victims such as Women's Center and Shelter, Center for Victims of Violent Crimes, Family Resources, Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, National Council of Jewish Women, Standing Firm, at least one (1) academic performing research on domestic violence related issues, at least one (1) prosecution specialist in domestic violence. Representatives from Allegheny County EOC may participate in Advisory Panel meetings at the request of the Chair. The Public Safety Director, or his/her designee, Chief of Police, or his/her designee, and members of Council or their designees may participate in Advisory Panel meetings ex officio.
III. Domestic Violence Advisory Board Meetings and Chair
The Advisory Board shall elect a chair by a majority vote of its members at its first annual meeting each calendar year. The Board shall meet at least quarterly and may establish committees as deemed necessary.
IV. Domestic Violence Advisory Panel Member Terms, Vacancy
Members shall be invited to participate by the Mayor, subject to approval by Council. Panel members shall serve without compensation. The term of each member shall be two (2) years. A successor shall be appointed upon the expiration of the term of a member. The appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term.
IV. Internal Structure for the Domestic Violence Advisory Panel and Regulations:
A simple majority constitutes a quorum. The Board shall establish regulations for its own organization and procedure, consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and of this code.
Members shall serve without compensation.
V. Duties of Panel
The Domestic Violence Advisory Panel shall provide policy guidance, recommendations and consultation to Public Safety to promote best practices for officer response to Domestic Violence. The Advisory Panel shall establish and maintain a clearinghouse of resource information about police best practices for Domestic Violence Response. The Advisory Panel shall be available to consult with the Public Safety Director and/or the Chief of Police as needed. The Advisory Board will provide an annual, final written recommendation to Public Safety and Council about officer response to domestic violence calls, to be consistent with PBP's accreditation.
VI. Effective Date
This Ordinance shall become effective upon the date of the Mayor's signature.