Title
Review the Results of the Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Review the results of the 2016 Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations.
City Manager Recommendation:
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to review the results of the 2016 Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations.
Staff Contact:
Sam Costello, Community Policing Lieutenant, Police Department, 360.753.8066
Presenter(s):
Aaron Jelcick, Interim Chief of Police
Reiko Callner, Former Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair
Curt Pavola, Former Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair
Background and Analysis:
In 2015, the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem were charged by the Council with enlisting the
help of five community members who would act as a "convener group." The group's
purpose was to develop opportunities for broad-based and inclusive engagement with the community about police and community relations. The Comprehensive Plan establishes a broad policy framework for Olympia's public services that emphasizes the importance of integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to service delivery. Criminal justice issues can't be addressed solely through policing. Partnerships between police, the courts, schools, the religious community and many other organizations are essential to addressing the sources of much of the crime in our community. Public engagement is a critical part of this work.
The purpose of this task force was to engage the public and 1) provide them with information on current activities and best practices, 2) listen for opportunities for improvement, and 3) create grounds for positive and productive engagement between people who have different experiences and perspectives.
The specific charge of the task force was to work as a team, in collaboration with City of Olympia staff and local non-profit organizations, and carry out up to five community forums to receive information and share perspectives about:
• Methods for engaging under-represented and minority groups on policing practices in order to bridge understanding between Olympia's law enforcement officers and the public.
• Seek input on a preferred process for engaging the public on implementing police-worn body cameras.
Engagement methods included community briefings by city staff and other criminal justice professionals, small group discussions, and other direct public engagement strategies.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Themes/Main Messages:
• Effective policing requires respect, listening, communication, relationships.
• Modes of engagement are crucial.
• Perceptions of the internal world/culture of OPD.
• Perceptions of “police” in general.
• Cultural awareness/acknowledgement of implicit bias.
• Sense of institutional injustice.
• Societal issues that manifest themselves in police responses - core institutional references.
• Community responsibility.
Process/Ideas to Consider for Body-Worn Cameras:
• Education is essential for the public to participate in a meaningful way.
• Broadest possible inclusion.
• Include obvious stakeholders: victims, offenders, children, migrants, prosecutors, defenders, etc.
• Allow enough time to focus on privacy issues
• Understanding how video might be used can change perspectives - allow the public to explore those tradeoffs.
• How and when the City deploys will be shaped by state law.
Options:
Information only. No action requested.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Summary