Direct staff to create plan for new policing model with fewer officers
In Plain English
Richmond currently uses a community policing approach that requires more officers to work closely with neighborhoods. The city now has fewer police officers than before. Staff will research alternative policing methods that work better with a smaller force and recommend a new approach by June 2021.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item; direct staff to create a transition accountability task force composed by members of the public, including community organizations, individuals who were impacted by law enforcement, and law enforcement. The task force would have access to legally allowable City data, have standing meetings with the city manager and police chief; require the task force to convene within two weeks and report back to the City Council by September 15, 2020, and then monthly thereafter
5 to 2
Why This Vote Matters
Richmond will move away from its current community policing model and research new approaches that work with fewer officers, after council voted 5-2 to approve the transition. The decision also creates a public accountability task force that includes community members and people who have had negative encounters with police to oversee the process and recommend changes by September 2020. Council members Nat Bates and Thomas K. Butt voted against the measure, marking a rare departure from their usual support for public safety items. The shift comes as Richmond faces staffing shortages that make the current community policing approach difficult to maintain.
Auto-generated context. Source: official meeting records.
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