City Government
Boise Coppers Get Civilian Advisory Board
April 17, 2018 
For the first time in its history, the Boise Police Department has a board of citizens offering advice.
While not an official “Police Commission,” Top Copper Bill Bones has called upon a dozen citizens of diverse backgrounds to form a “Community Advisory Panel” (CAP) so the department can have a better communication with the citizens.
The Panel serves as a resource for the Chief in the formation of strategies, development of community policing concepts, improvement of public services, and building public trust.
BPD received almost one hundred nominations from people willing to offer their time to help better serve the citizens of Boise.
“I truly appreciate your nominations and am grateful to serve a community where so many people are working to take part and make a difference,” said Boise Police Chief William Bones. Our police department is a reflection of the community we serve and it’s imperative that we include our community when setting direction and priorities for the department,” said Bones. “This panel has already proven its value by offering ideas and partnerships that will help us maintain a high quality of public safety and law enforcement services for years ahead.”
Here is a list of the members:
Dr. Willie Baber – Professor of Anthropology and on the NAACP Exec Board
Dr. Don Coberly -Boise School Superintendent and possesses a Doctorate
Shannon Decker – Speedy Foundation, very involved in suicide prevention
Erin Erkins – Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, strong ties to small business
Tracy Hitchcock – CEO of Create Common Good
Carolyn Holly – St Als, prior media
Drew Lorona – Founder of Treefort
Steve Martin – Regional Officer for PRIDE Foundation
Ericka Rupp – Dept of Health & Welfare
Andy Scoggin – Sits on the Catch board along with also Albertsons (large business)
Juan Saldana – Idaho Hispanic Commission
Phillip Thompson – President of the Black History Museum, past president of the Mosque
During the panel selection process, they recognized three areas which would require additional focus. Members of three additional subpanels will be called upon to provide feedback and guidance on examining diversity in Boise, assisting those with mental illness and those experiencing homelessness.
The GUARDIAN offers a heartfelt “thanks” for the gesture. We have advocated a citizen’s panel for 25 years and no prior chief, mayor or city council would provide the citizen voice which is standard for airport, parks, library, public works, zoning, and other city boards or commissions.
The BPD is the biggest department in the city with an annual budget of $63 million with 309 sworn police officers and a civilian support staff of about 100. It is also the biggest police department in Idaho except for the Idaho State Police.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Apr 17, 2018, 5:17 pm
I applied and wasn’t chosen. Not a member of these community groups, just a regular citizen. I understand politics.
Sub-panels? How will persons be solicited?
EDITOR NOTE–Bones told me the sub panelists have particular expertise in specific areas.
Apr 17, 2018, 6:40 pm
Yep, I see a bunch of activists and promoters and such on there. All part of the happy insider club. Not a single ordinary Joe. Kinda blows. No teeth either.
Apr 17, 2018, 10:28 pm
Wow, just WOW! A entire committee of who’s a who in the community who will rubber stamp the Chief’s policies and not listen to any input from regular citizen’s like Western Guy.
When was the last time any of these committee members had to call upon the police for 9-1-1 services.
Dr. Willie Baber lives in Florida, which is a long ways from Boise. So much for community.
Apr 18, 2018, 1:00 am
Andy Scoggins must not work much at Albertsons. As a member of the Idaho State Board of Education, his LDS church job, and now the police board they must not need him much at Albertsons or it is just that the Albertsons execs really don’t work much…..for Albertsons.
Apr 18, 2018, 6:25 am
Police are not social workers.
Police are not mental health workers.
Police are enforcers and there to protect us from criminals. To arrest them and send them to the courts.
People die whenever politics interferes with how police do their job. Boise’s traffic fatalities have nearly doubled since Bieter forced out the last chief who insisted on enforcing laws. Every intersection now has red light runners, every artery has aggressive drivers cutting others off and hopping lanes, every street has people texting and distracted. THAT is what more “civilian oversite” has given us – the opposite of “for the public good”. Twisted by local politicos for their own agenda and ignoring the safety of their own citizens.
Apr 18, 2018, 9:35 am
I also applied. I currently work in the court system and I have 15 years experience working with disadvantaged and incarcerated youth. I agree that they went with insiders and those with some political affiliations. If they were serious about this, they would have put some “Regular Joe’s” on the committee. Still, I wish them luck.
Apr 18, 2018, 10:43 am
Are you folks aware that 30% of the TOTAL Boise budget goes to the police department. Considering this and the gigantic powers of the police to screw up someones life without repercussion, why are we suppose to be jumping for joy at having a hand picked powerless advisory board?
Apr 18, 2018, 10:53 am
“Phillip Thompson –.. past president of the Mosque”
“The Mosque”
What?!
Do you mean the one in Mecca?
Guardian, I’m pretty sure that is not what is it says on his resume.
Try, “The Islamic Center of Boise”
I’m sure if you wrote “the church on Cole Rd” some readers would object.
Being non-PC is one thing, being inaccurate is another.
Shoogi and the others nailed it.
People in disagreement with BPD tactics need not apply.
Carolyn Holly? C’mon. She is a wonderful grandma and has NEVER had an encounter with police. Even if 6 BPD arrive to give grandma a driving ticket, she wouldn’t mention it to recommend different tactics.
All of these “types” of people could voice their concerns and accolades directly to BPD and they would be welcomed.
Treefort organizers will say”The permitting could be easier”… she could do that in email and it would be accepted.
Jose the cafe owner could say the same thing in an email and it would be ignored.
It’s like all the men in a company getting together to discuss the issues of female employees.
Just like the White House cabinet…
Apr 18, 2018, 11:13 am
My observation of BPD on our streets is that they’re deciders not enforcers! Officer Burch informed me that BPD sends 10 officers out to enforce the rules of the road with 309 sworn officers on the force? Then we hear how grant monies will provide enforcement of our roads? One just closing this last week! Notice safer roads? At the risk of sounding like a petty officer, BPD doesn’t even enforce proper display of license plates! We need to find out where the BPD is LEADING us.
Apr 18, 2018, 5:19 pm
I also applied. I guess my 25 years in public safety is less desirable than a grocery man….
Apr 18, 2018, 9:20 pm
Of all the applicants they could have chosen from, they have no experts in drug abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, or technology. They have a pr person to write their press releases, and that is all I see. I hope they don’t intend to pray the communities obvious problems away. Sub-committees – this is a time waster. I’ll give them three chances to effect the community positively regarding lawlessness and crime, and then they will have provided some service or not.
Apr 21, 2018, 1:45 pm
First question to police chief and new oversight fan-club.
Why does City of Boise and Police Department allow 1 in 6 cars to not have legal insurance coverage? I’ve had a problem with this two times while my car was parked and losers ran into it. Even the courts are letting it slide. WTF!!!