Issues surrounding the Winslow Police Department dominated the July 12 meeting of the Winslow City Council. Most surfaced following the Easter Sunday death of Loreal Tsingine, 27, who was fatally shot by WPD Officer Austin Shipley.
An agreement between the city and Interim Public Management for an interim professional at the police department from Aug. 1 until April 30 for $15,600 monthly and an agreement with the Police Executive Research Forum for the purpose of conducting an organizational review of the department for $69,558 were approved by the council in 6-1 votes, with Councilwoman Judy Howell opposing both.
Howell said that Winslow has a highly qualified person for the police chief position and that neither of those measures would be good for the department.
Mayor Robin Boyd noted that this is the right time for an interim chief and the organizational review.
Twelve persons spoke during the call to the public, and most spoke about problems with the police department.
Lawrence Katoney said that he was mistreated in a case by the police and was disappointed with the city’s handling of the issue.
Lavetta Penrod said that she wanted to support the police department, but that it is evident that Officer Shipley should not have been a policeman and that Winslow needs a citizens’ review board.
Nancy Wilson said that her family would be leaving Winslow because her 15-year-old son was falsely accused of threatening to shoot up the school, and the situation made life difficult for both him and her daughter. She blamed Police Chief Steve Garnett for the situation, saying he had rushed to judgment.
Brian Scaramuzzo spoke twice, once to say that the police have a tough job and need our support.
Mary Alice Hayes spoke, noting that, if necessary, the NAACP would get the people to publicize the town’s problems.
Ray Rardin spoke critically of the police department and said that Garnett was a cancer.
Carly Murray said that things are not working anymore and that we need a citizens’ review board.
Mildred Dunham said that the city and the council need to hear what people are saying and act to correct situations.
Following the call to the public, the council went into executive session for legal advice regarding a claim for the officer involved shooting. No action was taken on return to regular session.
The city is facing a $10.5 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Loreal Tsingine. The lawsuit states that the city was negligent in hiring, training, retaining, controlling and supervising Shipley, who shot Tsingine five times on a Winslow street after a reported shoplifting incident. The officer said that the woman was brandishing a pair of scissors when he fired on her.
The claim names the City of Winslow, Shipley and Chief Garnett as defendants. Tsingine’s husband, Michael Tsingine, and 8-year-old daughter, Tiffany Robbins, are the claimants.
David Coolidge, acting for City Manager Stephen Pauken, and Allen Rosenbaum spoke on recent city activities. Rosenbaum advised the council of a break in a pipe on the city farm and the manhole replacement project, which he said will present several options as how to fix the problems.
City Attorney Ellen Van Riper gave a summary of the police report requested by Councilman Curtis Hardy on an incident in which two dogs were shot. She told of the charges filed and the sentences imposed.
Chief Garnett gave his last report before retirement, and said that violent crimes have decreased by 52 percent in Winslow in the last three years and property crimes have been reduced by 61 percent. He thanked the officers in the department for their good work.
Justice of the Peace B.J. Little gave the quarterly court report.
Pete Henderson spoke about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) situation during the call to the public, and said that Winslow should address it.
Mike Penrod said he was born and raised in Winslow, and that the city needs an LGBT resolution or ordinance.
Jason Hodge spoke and said the Arizona Public Service Co. would respond to problems as needed.
In other action July 12, the council:
* Approved the consent calendar, including the check register, minutes of May 28 council meetings, an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with Navajo County for court collections and criminal justice services, a Regional Transportation Authority Service Planning intergovernmental agreement with Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority and adoption of corrected ordinance.
* Approved an ordinance to set the property tax levy, which was adopted on an emergency basis.
* Approved the release schedule for non-department subsidies to the Council on Aging, Old Trails Museum and Little League officials.
* Approved an ordinance setting rates, fees and charges, some of which were raised and a few of which were added.
