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3/24/2021 - Meeting Minutes Racial Equity in Policing Commission Minutes 1 6/12/2021 11:23 PM Racial Equity in Policing Commission Salt Lake City Utah Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 24, 2021 5:00 p.m. The Racial Equity in Policing Commission met in an electronic meeting pursuant to the Salt Lake City Emergency Proclamation and determination of the Core Commissioners. Minutes are provided in conjunction with the video/audio file. Complete Meeting Materials _______________________________________________________________________ Commission Members Virtual Attendance: Commissioners Kum, Ka’ili, Shifflett, McDonald, Smith, Banuri, Powell, Davis, Suarez, Prospero, Salazar-Hall, Solovi Jr., Anjewierden, Hawkins, and Johnson Commission Members Absent: Commissioners Mberwa, Romero, Oommen, Ahmad, Eldridge, Sagato- Mauga Langdon Facilitators Attendance: Larry Schooler, Dante James, Siobhan Locke, Josh King Staff in Virtual Attendance: Cindy Lou Trishman, City Recorder; David Litvack, Mayor’s Senior Advisor; Kaletta Lynch, Mayor’s Special Projects Manager; Crystal Grady, Police Department Officer; Brendyn Scott, Police Department Officer; Lindsey Nikola, Mayor’s Communications Director; Lehua Weaver, Council Associate Deputy Director; Assistant Chief Tim Doubt, Police Department; Chief Mike Brown, Police Department; Sven Karabegovic, Mayor’s office Intern; and Weston Clark, Mayor’s Senior Advisor. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 pm 1. Welcome and Public Meeting Guidelines Confirm the determination of the Core Commissioners to meet electronically because meeting at a physical location presents a substantial risk to the health and safety of those who may be present at the anchor location. Mr. James opened the meeting acknowledging the loss of life due to recent tragic events in Atlanta Georgia and in Boulder, Colorado remarking on the devastation of the events. Commissioners, Facilitators and Officers shared personal experiences and perspectives including: • Gun violence and proposed policy enhancements reflecting stricter control of gun purchases or comprehensive background studies • Hate Crime definition and legislation • Loss of life for the victims in the Boulder shooting, particularly of Officer Terry and the way the information was presented on behalf of his death and the overall loss of life Racial Equity in Policing Commission Minutes 2 6/12/2021 11:23 PM • Apprehension of suspect varies on the race, while also the media tone and language is different when the suspect is a person of color • Expressions of respect and appreciation for the work of officers to enter into dangerous situations at the risk of their own life to protect others • Gender violence is also a concern • Preparation of the Police Department Public Order Unit for potential unrest from the Chauvin trial • Consideration of training efforts and the receptive temperaments helpful to the willing sacrifice of protecting others at the cost of your own life; specifically, the benefits, pay, and social climate of officer recruiting and potential improvements • Opportunity to share perspective is a value at this time, and it is highly encouraged to engage in dialogue between Commissioners and Officers • All members of society are human beings and active injustice of any form will affect everyone indirectly or directly 2. Review of Minutes: January 28, 2021 Item not held. 3. Public Comment (limited to 15 minutes) ● Attendees may be provided one or two minutes of time, determined by the number of attendees and the time available determined by the Commission. Please observe the time limit stated at the beginning of the public comment period so everyone may have a chance to speak. ● Per the public meeting guidelines, keep comments free of discriminatory language referring to a person or group based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or other gender identity factor. Items or comments that disrupt the meeting, intimidate other participants or that may cause safety concerns are not allowed. Beverly Hawkins commented about the protests from 2020, commending the police officer restraint and sharing her observation that when protestors required assistance they did reach out to police officers, illustrating the trust with local police officers. Ms. Hawkins continued her comment on behalf of the Utah League of Women Voters asking for suggested timing for her colleagues to reach out and provide comment to the City Council and the Mayor about the Commission’s work. Council and Mayor staff suggested the feedback be provided at any time through the REPcommission@slcgov.com email address or through the Council comment email (council.comments@slcgov.com) address or during public meetings at the General Comment portion of the meeting. Mr. Schooler also provided the www.slcrepcommission.com site for feedback opportunities. 4) Commission Business o Resignation of Commission member; Core Commission Member change; and discussion of replacement Commission Member Racial Equity in Policing Commission Minutes 3 6/12/2021 11:23 PM ▪ Vacancy Memorandum (please see the complete meeting material link provided above) Mr. Schooler presented the memorandum and facilitated the discussion of the commission membership, noting the opportunity for the Commission to first decide the interest on filling the vacancy in the immediate time period and then following that decision to determine cultural or ethnic representation desired. Commission members addressed the timing of the Commission and the first-year recommendations, representation from the Asian American or Pacific Islander communities, and the potential turnover after the initial year of the Commission. Commissioner Powell noted the desire for increased representation among the youth subcommittee. Commissioner Banuri added that she identifies as Asian. Mr. Schooler summarized the conversation with the consensus-approved conclusion that the Commission has chosen not to fill the vacancy at this time, but suggested additional representation be added to the youth subcommittee from the Asian American or Pacific Islander community who will be a rotating voting member. o Other including Scheduling Items ▪ Partner Pair Program: Contact Kaletta Lynch if you are interested in participating. Mr. James shared the value of engaging in the program adding that some members have expressed partnering with more than one member of the Police Department; however, managing the time and interest of all Commission members first is the priority. Commissioners were encouraged to reach out to Kaletta before March 25 end of business day. Commissioner Powell expressed interest, particularly with the Public Order Unit pairing and Kaletta agreed to connect with him. Officer Grady also provided appreciation of the program and issued a challenge to Commissioners to attend. ▪ Meeting opportunities with Matrix Consulting, the budget consultant working with the City Council on the Police Department Budget Audit Ms. Lynch shared that the scheduling of small group meetings is an option and a doodle poll will be provided. ▪ Opportunity to attend the City Council Work Session on behalf of the Commission (5-10 minutes overview of the work in progress); optional for 3-4 commissioners per meeting generally between 2 pm and 5 pm. • April 6, 13, 20 Mr. James noted the opportunity for Commission members to share with the Council the work being completed. 4. Discussion relating to the Fiscal Year 2022 Police Budget The Commission may discuss goals and purposes relating to the City’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. Racial Equity in Policing Commission Minutes 4 6/12/2021 11:23 PM Item not held. 5. Data Sharing Facilitators and Commission Members may discuss the data resources reviewed in Subcommittee discussions. Item not held. 6. Follow-up Discussion: Best Practices Commission members working on the Literature Review may share best practices researched. Material provided during the meeting, please see complete meeting materials link at the top of the Minutes to access. Commissioner Prospero shared a presentation with the Commission and provided an update on the literature review, focusing specifically the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) program from Eugene and Springfield Oregon area. The following points were summarized: • Mobilized in two-person teams (medic and crisis worker) • No weapons carried • Dispatched through the Police-Fire-Ambulance communication or the non-emergency number • No law enforcement included in the teams • Calls may result in police and CAHOOTS service • Funding is through the City (Eugene) Police Department o 31 hours/day for overlap coverage with multiple vans o Funding and service evaluation is completed through the Police and also through CAHOOTS • Top three reasons for service: welfare check, assist the public, or transport • Service count has doubled between 2014-2019 • 5-8% of police calls for service were diverted to CAHOOTS, with 2% of the instances included the Police • The system began as a community policing initiative Commissioners discussed the service, potential crossover with the CIT/HOST teams, recent legislation requiring Emergency Medical Service teams to be trained in mental health conditions, and the top five calls for service which the Police may be able to divert. Additional conversation points including the desire to include the City’s Dispatch Department to discuss their training and consideration of the approach. Mr. King commented that the City had also reviewed the CAHOOTS service and shared that the Policies & Practices subcommittee has discussed this and other programs. He also noted in an upcoming subcommittee meeting Jessica Waters, Social Work Director at SLCPD will be available to discuss considerations and directions the police have reviewed. Mr. James requested the Commission consider a general recommendation to implement the service and conduct an evaluation of the budget measures necessary to address police calls and interactions not requiring uniformed officers. He confirmed the next step is to hear from the Policies and Practices subcommittee on subsequent discussion and consider this as a potential general recommendation. Racial Equity in Policing Commission Minutes 5 6/12/2021 11:23 PM 7. Standing Items ● Subcommittee Reports o Training Subcommittee Mr. James provided an update on the Training Subcommittee and shared the current review of recruiting efforts (minimal budget, no existing full-time employee); the hiring process, particularly the background check; and the citizens academy curriculum. Mr. James shared that the title of the citizens academy will be changed as it had been pointed out the title citizen does not apply to all who may be interested in being engaged and learning about police work. o Policies & Practice Subcommittee Mr. King provided an update on the Policies & Practice Subcommittee and shared the current focus of the group is to review the response to mental health call for service and the development and collaboration between SLCPD and response programs for social services; to continue the development of the body-worn camera ordinance; to continue discussion on the use of force policy review. Mr. King also shared that the subcommittee passed a recommendation to the Training subcommittee to evaluate the opportunity to conduct training on the history of policing. o School Safety Subcommittee ▪ On March 7, 2021 Draft Recommendations were approved; however, feedback received has adjusted the recommendations. The Commission may review the adjustments. Meeting materials: Initially Approved Recommendations, Striving for Equity and the Agreement between Salt Lake City School District & Salt Lake City Corporation. Ms. Locke provided an update on the suggested adjustments to the initial recommendations, having learned of potential difficulties with potential implementation. The follow points were included as the adjustments: 1) Promising Youth Program a. Adjusted the recommendation of moving the program from the Police department to maintain its development while under the Police department due to some funding resource requirements; however, with a suggestion to revisit the program in one year b. Including long-term budgetary recommendation to continue the program beyond grant uses c. Noted that resources and space for the program will be within the shared space of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program d. Funding previously noted that the SRO program is provided for nine months of the year, but after additional conversation was confirmed to have funding for the full 12-month calendar year Racial Equity in Policing Commission Minutes 6 6/12/2021 11:23 PM 2) Full Time Employee civilian position recommended for the Mayor’s office would be developed in collaboration between the school district and police department Commissioners discussed the points and agreed by consensus to move the adjusted recommendations to the City Council and Mayor. o Youth Subcommittee Commissioner Prospero provided an update on behalf of the Youth Subcommittee and clarified that there are no specific recommendations being prepared by the subcommittee since the influence of the youth in the subcommittees is noted and appreciated. 8. TENTATIVE Closed Session The Commission will consider a motion to enter into a Closed Session. A closed meeting described under Section 52-4-205 may be held for specific purposes including, but not limited to: a. discussion of the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; b. strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; c. discussion regarding deployment of security personnel, devices, or systems; and d. investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct. A closed meeting may also be held for attorney-client matters that are privileged pursuant to Utah Code § 78B-1-137, and for other lawful purposes that satisfy the pertinent requirements of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act. Item not held Mr. James concluded the meeting and shared that although specific recommendations may not be feasible in this initial year, the inclusion of general themes in the final recommendations is valuable to the Council and the Mayor. Meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm Minutes Approved on May 5, 2021 Cindy Lou Trishman City Recorder This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript as additional discussion may have been held; please refer to the audio or video for entire content pursuant to Utah Code §52-4-203(2)(b). This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the Racial Equity in Policing Commission Regular Commission Meeting on March 24, 2021.