In the minutes: Bloomington, IL Public Safety & Community Relations Board (Monthly & Quarterly) - SPECIAL, ALPR (Nov 4)

Public Safety & Community Relations Board - Special Meeting Agenda
Government Center Boardroom, 4th Floor, Room #400
115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - 6:00 PM
1.

Call to Order

2.

Roll Call

3.

Public Comment
Individuals wishing to provide emailed public comment must email comments to
[email protected] at least 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. Individuals
wishing to speak in-person may register at cityblm.org/register at least 5 minutes before
the start of the meeting.

4.

Consent Agenda
Items listed on the Consent Agenda are approved with one motion; Items pulled from the
Consent Agenda are listed and voted on separately.
A.

5.

Regular Agenda
A.

6.

7.

Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the August 26, 2026,
Regular Session Public Safety Community Relations Board
Meeting. (Recommended Motion: The proposed Minutes be approved.)

Presentation by the Bloomington Police Department Regarding Complaint
Updates, Taser Report, and Department Updates. (Recommended Motion: None;
Presentation Only.)

New Business
A.

Presentation and overview of the Bloomington Police Department's Drone
Program by Sergeant Jared Bierbaum. (Recommended Motion: None; Presentation
Only.)

B.

Opportunity for the public to voice concerns and to provide recommendations
for improving interactions between the Police Department and the
community. (Recommended Motion: None; Presentation and discussion only.)

C.

Review and Discussion of the Purpose and Responsibilities of the Public Safety
& Community Relations Board, None Presentation Only., as requested by the
Administration Department. (Recommended Motion: None; Presentation Only.)

Adjournment

Individuals with disabilities planning to attend the meeting who require reasonable

Page 1 of 5

accommodations to observe and/or participate, or who have questions about the accessibility of
the meeting, should contact the City's ADA Coordinator at 309-434-2468 or [email protected].

Page 2 of 5

Minutes
Public Safety & Community Relations Board - Regular Session
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
The Public Safety & Community Relations Board convened in Regular Session in the
Government Center Boardroom at 3:30 PM. Chair Arthur Taylor called the meeting to order.
Roll Call
Attendee Name
Arthur Taylor
Sean Murphy
Ashley Farmer
Rachel McFarland
Yvett Hernandez
Tylian Smith
Ricardo Alvarado
Gregory Wilson

Title
Board Chair
Vice Board Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Staff Liaison

Status
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Absent
Present

Public Comment
No public comment.
Consent Agenda
Items listed on the Consent Agenda are approved with one motion; Items pulled from the
Consent Agenda are listed and voted on separately.
Item 4.A. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the June 24, 2026,
Quarterly Session Public Safety Community Relations Board Meeting.
Board Member Farmer made a motion, seconded by Board Member McFarland, to
approve the minutes as presented.
The Board Chair called roll:
Ayes: Taylor, Murphy, McFarland, Hernandez, Farmer
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Regular Agenda
Item 5.A. Presentation by the Bloomington Police Department Regarding
Complaint Updates, Taser Report, and Department Updates.
The Board received an update from Assistant Chief Chad Wamsley regarding citizen
complaints and complaint investigations for 2026. Assistant Chief Wamsley reported that there are
currently no (0) requests for the PSCRB to review complaint investigations. During calendar year
2026, the Bloomington Police Department has received 13 citizen complaints, with 3 investigations
MINUTES
PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD – REGULAR SESSION
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026, 3:30 PM
Page 1 of 3
Page 3 of 5

currently pending or ongoing. The Calls for Service Report showed 6,188 calls in July 2025, compared
to 6,170 calls in July 2026, representing a decrease of 18 calls.
Assistant Chief Wamsley reported that officers used force in 22 incidents during the month
of July. The July Taser Report reflected a total of 11 Taser-related incidents, including five Taser
deployments and six instances in which the Taser was displayed but not deployed. We currently are
at 130 out of 133 officers. Four officers are currently out due to injury, and three officers are on parental
leave. One newer officer recently left the Department to accept a position with the Lake County
Sheriff's Office.
The Department hired one lateral officer on August 17. Two officers recently graduated
from the police academy, and four additional officers were hired and are scheduled to begin academy
training.
ALPR technology was utilized to locate a missing person, identify vehicles involved in hitand-run crashes, and locate an elderly patient. Public camera footage was also used to identify
suspects involved in a stabbing.
Item 5.B. Distribution to Board Members of resolved Complaints for
informational review by the Board.
The Board received nine resolved complaints for its biannual informational review.
During the review, Board member Farmer asked whether School Resource Officers wear bodyworn cameras while interacting with students. Chief Wamsley confirmed that School Resource
Officers utilize body-worn cameras during interactions, including interactions with students.
Board members discussed Complaint No. 5, which included a sustained allegation
related to an officer's professionalism and conduct toward a member of the public.
Chief Wamsley explained that sustained complaints may result in coaching or
retraining, including classes, videos, or other appropriate training. The sustained allegation is
documented and does not simply disappear from the officer's record.
The Board also discussed how previous complaints may affect disciplinary decisions.
Chief Wamsley explained that prior incidents can result in progressive discipline.
All documented discipline, including counseling and more serious disciplinary action,
is reviewed through Human Resources to determine whether progressive discipline applies.
The length of time an incident is considered for progressive discipline can depend on
the applicable labor contract and type of infraction. Generally, progressive disciplinary actions
may remain applicable for approximately three years. However, disciplinary records themselves
are not purged from the officer's disciplinary file.
Board member Farmer noted that portions of Complaints No. 5, No. 7, and No. 9 that
were sustained appeared to involve similar concerns regarding officer professionalism, including
officers being perceived as rude or making unnecessary comments.
The Board asked whether the Police Department had implemented department-wide
communication or training addressing professionalism when interacting with the public.
Chief Wamsley explained that these concerns are addressed in part through the
Department's de-escalation training efforts. The Department has been working to expand its
internal de-escalation training capacity. Previously, approximately one or two internal officers
MINUTES
PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD – REGULAR SESSION
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026, 3:30 PM
Page 2 of 3
Page 4 of 5

were able to provide this training; the Department now has approximately five or six trained
personnel available to support de-escalation training.
New Business
Adjournment
Commissioner Farmer made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, to
adjourn the meeting.
The Board chair called roll:
AYES: Taylor, Murphy, McFarland, Hernandez, Farmer
Motion passed.
Next Scheduled Meeting Date
September 23, 2026
The meeting was adjourned at 4:28 PM.

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON

ATTEST

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Arthur Taylor, Board Chair

Paul Mose Rickey, Staff Liaison

MINUTES
PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD – REGULAR SESSION
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026, 3:30 PM
Page 3 of 3
Page 5 of 5