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We believe that while overt racial bias still pervades our City and society at large, an even greater concern is the institutionalization of racial bias – whether intended or not – into the formal workings of municipalities, schools, and other social institutions. We propose very specific activities for the Work Group in identifying how and where racial bias is built into the otherwise innocuous workings – the policies, practices, forms, communication channels, etc. - of the St. Anthony Police Department. The first activity, or step, for the proposed Work Group is for all members to take part in a six-month intensive assessment of the St. Anthony Police Department. This is not the standard Citizen’s Academy, which is not useful or appropriate for a work group focusing on a racial bias assessment. As a result of this assessment, all members of the Work Group would develop a deep understanding of how and why St. Anthony police officers do the work they do. By reviewing (redacted) Incident Reports, Supplemental Reports, and 911 calls (recordings), members will develop a much clearer and more detailed grasp of patrol officers’ routines and standard responses. Members would participate in ride- alongs with all SAPD patrol officers, covering daytime and evening shifts over both weekends and week days. The St. Anthony Police Department would arrange for Work Group members to sit-along with 911 operators and dispatchers. Besides the data that has already been requested by residents of St. Anthony, Work Group members would have full access to the St. Anthony Police Department’s Standard Operating Procedures and policies, including insurance policies and relevant city contracts if needed. Work Group members would be provided access to police department staff and relevant city staff/officials for interviews and shadowing opportunities. The second activity, or step, of the collaborative Work Group would involve the analysis of the data collected over the six month period. The Work Group members, including the St. Anthony Chief, other officers of various ranks, and City staff, would participate in collaborative work sessions in which the Group would map the workings of the St. Anthony Police Department, identifying the points at which racial bias manifests in the operations of the police department – such as through formal and informal routines, department priorities, funding pressures, worksheets and forms, insurance mandates or state law. Finally, the Work Group would develop, collaboratively, a Blueprint for moving forward, which would include new forms, procedures, supervisory practices, etc., as well as articulated short- and long-term goals for the Department and the three Cities. The Work Group members would commit to oversee implementation and long-term oversight of implementation efforts, making adjustments to the Blueprint as needed. The ultimate goal of the collaborative Work Group is to create a model comprehensive law enforcement and municipal response to racial bias that would be shared with communities around the country. Thank you very much for considering our ideas. We are more than happy to discuss these ideas further and in greater depth. Sincerely, Kristine Lizdas, J.D. 78