HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 16-070 FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKGROUP TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES ON OFFICER WORN BODY CAMERASCITY OF ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 16 -070
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 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 St. Anthony, Falcon Heights 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 St. Anthony has identified racial equity as a strategic priority with the
standard expectation being fair and equitable service delivery to all people who live,
work, or visit St. Anthony; 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 St. Anthony 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 St. Anthony, 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 St. Anthony along with the cities of Falcon Heights and Lauderdale shall
establish a Workgroup made up of diverse cadre of St. Anthony, Falcon Heights and Lauderdale
residents to make recommendations for Police Department policies on officer worn body cameras, and
further directs that:
• The City Manager solicit letters of interest from St. Anthony residents willing and able to
serve as a member of the Workgroup, as soon as practicable;
• Following a reasonable application period, the City Manager shall present the Council copies
of the letters of interest from all qualified applicants for review and final selection;
• The workgroup shall consist of three residents each from St. Anthony, Falcon Heights and
Lauderdale.
• From the final Workgroup membership, the Mayors will select one member to serve as Co-
Chair, along with the Police Chief,
• The City Council's from St. Anthony, Falcon Heights and Lauderdale select a Councilmember
to serve as the Council Liaison to the 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 practice, and
the department's current policies and related training protocols;
• The City Manager, or his designee, shall, in accordance with the City's established purchasing
authority, engage the services of an outside facilitator(s) familiar with police practices and/or
criminal justice to guide the review and discussion;
• Upon completion of its work, the Workgroup shall make recommendations to the Police Chief
regarding officer worn body cameras;
• The Police Chief shall provide a written report to the City Manager 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. When practical, the City Manager will
present the report to the City Council.
Adopted this 27th day of September, 2016.
erome O. Faust, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ni o e Miller, City Clerk
Review for Administration:
Mark Casey, QWManager