HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 16-26 Establishment of a Workgroup to Review and make Recommendations on the Use of Body CamerasCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
September 21, 2016
No. 16-26
A RESOLUTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKGROUP TO MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES ON OFFICER
WORN BODY CAMERAS
WHEREAS, the protests resulting from recent high-profile shootings of African American men
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Falcon Heights, Minnesota highlight the distrust
that exists across racial and ethnic lines; and
WHEREAS, the senseless murders of five Dallas, Texas police officers assigned to keep safe
and protect peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors in the City's downtown area
demonstrate the very real dangers faced by officers because they are officers; and
WHEREAS, communities, such as Falcon Heights, St. Anthony, and Lauderdale must recognize
the need to critically balance the enforcement of law with effective, fair and
transparent police services; and
WHEREAS, despite a Constitution that considers all people equal, profound disparities exist for
African Americans and other people of color across the United States, including
Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the City of Falcon Heights has identified racial equity as a community value with
the standard expectation being fair and equitable service delivery to all people who
live, work, or visit Falcon Heights; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that of all the services provided by the City, police services by
their very nature, have the greatest potential to result in controversy and grow
distrust; and
WHEREAS, the City of Falcon Heights values and honors the critical role of our police officers
in enhancing the safety and quality of life for the community; and
WHEREAS, it is widely recognized that communities receive the kind of policing they demand
and as the policymakers representing the whole of Falcon Heights, we endeavor to
provide the most effective, fair, and transparent police services possible.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that to foster effective, fair, and transparent police
servicers, the City of Falcon Heights along with the cities of Lauderdale and St. Anthony shall
establish a Workgroup made up of a diverse cadre of Lauderdale, St. Anthony, and Falcon
Heights residents to make recommendations for Police Department policies on officer worn body
cameras and further directs that:
• The City Administrator solicit letters of interest from Falcon Heights residents willing and able to serve as
a member of the Workgroup, as soon as practicable;
• Following a reasonable application period, the City Administrator shall present the Council copies of the
letters of interest from applicants for review and final selection;
• The Workgroup shall consist of two residents each from Falcon Heights.
• From the final Workgroup membership, the Mayors will select one member to serve as Co -Chair, along
with the Police Chief;
• The City Council shall select two Council Members to serve on Workgroup;
• The Police Chief shall make available members of the department considered subject matter experts or
other resources, as may be needed;
• The Workgroup co-chairs will establish meeting agendas in cooperation with the Workgroup membership
to provide substantive background information, a review of current practices, and the department's current
policies and related training protocols;
• Upon completion of its work, the Workgroup shall make recommendations to the Police Chief regarding
officer wom body cameras;
• The Police Chief shall provide a written report to the City Administrators and Workgroup members
detailing the integration of the Workgroup's recommendations into police department policy;
• Should certain recommendations or elements of recommendations not be adopted, the Police Chief shall
provide a written rationale for the decision. The City Administrator will present the report to the City
Council.
Moved by:, y s Approved by:
P terLindstrom
Mayor
LINDSTROM �— In Favor
BROWN THUNDER
HARRIS Against
FISCHER
GUSTAFSON
Attested by:
Sack ThongvarE
City Administrator