The Boise Police Department's Office of Internal Affairs has issued a formal report, detailing the number of citizen complaints against BPD.

The new survey reveals 360 investigations into citizen complaints during 2011, nearly double the number of investigations in 2010 and nearly triple those of 2009. BPD Chief Mike Masterson told members of the Boise City Council on Tuesday that the numbers were "more accurately captured in 2011 because of a new system implementation."

"Better complaint intake and tracking capabilities is not reflective in a change in performance but rather gives us a better ability to confidently and accurately document all citizen complaints and inquiries," said Masterson.

But one of the starker elements of the report details uses of force. The Boise Police Department is required to conduct a review of an officer's use of force when the subject is injured or complains of injury, a lateral vascular neck restraint is used, firearms are discharged or intermediate weapons (including baton, flashlight, K-9 or tasers) are used. In 2011, 230 incidents involving suspected "types of force" were investigated, compared to only 78 in 2010 and 58 in 2009.

Additionally, during 2011, 68 citizen complaints were "sustained;" in other words, sufficient evidence proved the allegations. Thirty-five were driving violations, 14 involved performance of duty, 14 were for failures to report incidents, two were for rudeness and one was for use of force.

• Courtesy Boise Police Department
• Boise Police Department Deputy Chief Patricia Braddock

After rising through the ranks to become Boise's first female deputy chief of police, Patricia Braddock will retire today, anxious to spend more time with her husband, six children and 12 grandchildren.

As commander of the Administrative Support Division, Braddock oversaw the Finance Crime Analysis, Computer Support, Public Records, False Alarms, Personnel, Fleet and Supply service units. Braddock was also instrumental in the department's successful bid to provide law enforcement for Boise State. She was promoted to deputy chief in April 2007.

Since Braddock was hired onto the BPD, sworn staff has increased from 142 to 325 full-time positions, the civilian staff has increased from six to 82, and the department budget has increased from $6 million to $44 million.

If you're walking or driving near Bronco Stadium today [Thursday], yes, there are weapons being fired but local law enforcement assures the public that firearms are only using simulated air munitions.

• Boise Police set up for training exercises on the Boise State campus.

Boise Police is hosting a multi-agency tactical training exercise in and around the concession concourse on the second level of Bronco Stadium until 5 p.m.. The training, funded through the Department of Homeland Security, is geared to prepare emergency responders to protect "large entertainment/sporting venues." The training area is cordoned off with yellow police caution tape.

Police emergency response vehicles, including a BPD mobile command post, are positioned in the west stadium loading dock. SWAT team members are wearing tactical clothing and equipment, including training firearms.

According to a statement from Boise State, "those in the proximity of Bronco Stadium may hear loud sounds and noises that simulate gunfire during the training."

• With gas masks, flak jackets and other SWAT gear, Boise Police ready up for training exercises.

• Tara Morgan, Boise Weekly

Those wondering what all of the State Police vehicles were doing surrounding the Statehouse today can rest assured that there was no emergency.

Instead, officers were attending graduation ceremonies of the Idaho State Police Advanced Training Class. Upon graduating, the newest troopers will be serving in districts throughout the state.

On Sept. 12, The Ada County Sherriff's Office announced that all jail visits will now take place via video chat. The Ada County Jail Video Visitation system utilizes software created by Boise-based technology firm Blackfin.

"In May of 2010, we put them in and started using them," said Andrea Dearden, public information officer for ACSO. "We installed the stations in the dorms to start. That was the first place we had them. Slowly but surely, we got them into more areas of the jail. We tested it, adding more people and more users."

Using Acer laptops equipped with webcams and microphones, inmates can now chat from their dormitory with friends and family anywhere in the country. Each inmate is given two 25-minute sessions every two weeks, for a total of 100 minutes each month.

Three Idaho State Police employees are on paid leave and an investigation has been launched into activities in the state police forensics laboratory system.

Late Wednesday, state police officials said the allegations against the trio are not criminal in nature nor have they compromised any current or past casework. However, the three are charged with inconsistent behavior with ISP procedures or lab standards. Officials said they did not expect the issues were any more widespread than the three individuals.

While the 2010 Idaho Legislature failed to pass a ban on driving-while-texting, municipalities have decided to take up the issue. Tuesday evening, the Meridian City Council will consider an ordinance that would fine drivers $75 for their first and second violations of texting behind the wheel. A third of subsequent violations would result in a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine of up to $300, up to 90 days behind bars, or potentially both.

A driving-while-texting ban is already the law in the city of Twin Falls. And the Boise Police Department bars employees from using cell phones and other handheld devices to text or e-mail while driving the agency's vehicles. Boise city officials continue to look at the possibility of an ordinance affecting all citizens.

"We're exploring a possible city ordinance banning texting in Boise," Adam Park, spokesman for the Mayor's office told Citydesk. "We remain hopeful that a statewide solution can be reached to address this important issue."

It may be legal for Idahoans to text behind the wheel, but not if you're at Boise cop.

Effective today (Thursday) Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson has put out an edict which prohibits employees of his department from using cell phones or other handheld devices to text or e-mail while driving department-owned vehicles.

"Officers need to use a variety of communication tools," said Masterson, "but texting while driving is not one of them. I urge other agencies to follow the lead ... and ban employees from texting, e-mailing or checking the Internet for [the] latest scores while driving a company car. No one wants texting or Internet use to be the cause of a collision where someone is seriously injured of killed."

About an hour ago, Eagle attorney Ron Coulter filed a claim with the City of Boise on behalf of a man who was Tasered in a prone and handcuffed position on Valentine's Day and then threatened on his genitals with further shocks.

Coulter is making a deprivation of civil rights and a conspiracy claim against the city, and promises within 91 days to file a federal lawsuit on behalf of his client.

"Right now we’re asking the city to give justice to our client and there’s a number of ways they can do it," Coulter said.

"Camacho Mendoza Coulter Law Group has concluded that the conduct of the involved law enforcement officers was deplorable and inexcusable. As a direct result of their actions, our client’s constitutional rights were violated," the attorney stated in a press release.

A tort claim is normally filed to alert a government agency that a lawsuit is going to be filed against them. Coulter said the tort claim was not mandatory in this case, but that he filed it to give the city a chance to rectify the situation.

"The internal investigation conducted by the Boise Police Department was insufficient. We encourage changes be made within the Boise Police Department," the press release stated.

Coulter would not say what his client wants from the city, citing a potential for settlement negotiations.

Citydesk will continue to update this story as it develops.

Sure, I'm guilty. But it wasn't supposed to go down like that.

Boise cops are in the midst of a seat belt enforcement gig—they get extra grant money to work overtime citing seat belt scofflaws, such as myself.

But yesterday after work, you'll recall, the weather was really nice. I did buckle up between the office and my kid's friend's house. But on the short trip back to our house, I did fail to click-it.

As I rounded the bend near Camel's Back Park where the police are frequently found, I saw the Ada County Foothills motorcycle cop, whose uniform reminded me to slow down. I considered reaching for my belt, but then I saw another officer friendly 100 yards ahead, pointing his radar gun right at me and thought it wiser to just stay the course.

I gave the BPD officer a little wave, slowed to a stop and continued on through the intersection. In my rearview, I saw him slowly mounting his motorcycle, coming up behind me and flashing his lights. Damn.

I apologized to the kid, who usually reminds me to buckle up and who, I had forgotten, was dressed only in panties in her kid seat. Then Officer Wieden (at least that's what his name looks like on the ticket, badge #469) asked me if I usually wear my seat belt.

Now, I know the law, but when you're caught red handed, it's hard to protest. He is not supposed to pull me over for waving at him without my seat belt on. Seat belt offenses are still a secondary offense in Idaho; you can be ticketed for free-belting, but not stopped for a violation of the seat belt laws.

I'm going to pay the thing. But the $10 citation is enough to piss me off but not enough to change my behavior. And the attitude of these special enforcement patrols, where quantity is awarded over quality, is a major issue in our society and one which deserves a full public airing in the near future.

Anyone want to talk about it?