AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a work session presentation and hold discussion regarding a recommendation by the Chief of Police for the creation of a Police Citizen Advisory Panel to enhance the Police Department’s ability to receive and consider community feedback and address community concerns and problems.
Body
Meeting date: 12/19/2017
Department: Police
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Council has not formally taken prior action on this topic. Council has heard comments from citizens requesting some sort of Citizen Panel which would interface with the Police Department.
City Council Goal: [Please select goal from dropdown menu below]
Goal #8 Provide efficient & effective delivery of services
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from below]
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☐ Not Applicable
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Background Information:
In the wake of Senate Bill 4, Police Departments across the state found themselves having to either build or rebuild relationships with minority segments of their communities. Media coverage surrounding the bill led to a great number of misconceptions about the role of local police in the enforcement of Federal immigration laws. The San Marcos Police Department has been proactive in communicating with our minority communities in the form of various outreach events, social media, and one on one conversations. At a recent City Council meeting, one citizen asked Council to consider the creation of a citizen’s review board for the police department. Since that time, Police Chief Stapp has conducted research into the various models of citizen police input bodies being used around the country. This presentation will allow Staff to brief City Council on this research, make recommendations based upon the research, and seek direction from Council on the matter.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action: N/A
Alternatives:
There are various models of citizen police advisory bodies in place in the United States. These bodies range from review boards responsible only for the review and oversight of disciplinary matters to advisory panels which serve to help their respective departments be more considerate of community feedback and concerns in the implementation of their procedures and policies. This presentation will include information about multiple models used around the country.
Recommendation:
Staff’s recommendation will center around the formation of a Chief’s Advisory Panel which would consist of qualified members of the community, members of the department, and one facilitator with related experience from Texas State University.
Several slides will accompany this work session presentation.