Title:
Title
2019 Topic Directive for the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-00019
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution directing the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission to: (1) evaluate and engage the community about the City Police Department’s Body Worn Camera program, with the intent of enhancing community relations and improving accountability and transparency; and (2) report back to the City Council about the Commission’s findings and recommendations on the program on or before December 10, 2019.
Contact: Francine Tournour, Director, (916) 808-7525, Office of Public Safety Accountability
Body
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In 2016, the City Council established the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission (the “Commission”) and tasked to advise and make recommendations to the City Council about the City’s police (the “department”) policies, practices, and procedures. (See Sacramento City Code section 2.110.030)
For 2019, staff recommends that the Council direct the Commission to evaluate the City’s Police Body Warn Camera program (the “program”). (See attached Resolution.) Fully implemented in March 2017, the program’s policy, equipment, community concerns, and officer feedback has not been evaluated to determine its effectiveness and any need for improvement.
Since the program’s implementation, there have been several instances where the camera was intentionally turned off due to erroneous interpretation of city policy or inadvertently turned off due to position placement of the equipment. These instances understandably caused concern for the community and potentially deepened the lack of trust between certain community members and the police.
As the Commission continues to work towards their goal of improving the relationship between the community and police, it is imperative that they focus on relevant issues and concerns as they arise. The program’s policy has recently been updated by the department; however, the efficiency and effectiveness of the program would benefit from community input. The Commission is the bridge to that process.
To fully examine this program, staff recommends that the Council direct the Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of the program’s current policy and procedures, hold community discussions to hear concerns, host police officer focus groups, research best practices from cities with police departments of similar sizes and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the body worn camera vendor .
With this direction, the Commission will be better equipped to meet its purpose and streamline its efforts including discussing the way ahead, forming ad hocs and focus groups, giving assignments, and outlining a timetable for completion. The Office of Public Safety Accountability will continue to provide staffing assistance for Commission meetings and activities.
Policy Considerations: This recommendation is provided in accordance with City Code section 2.110.020, Purpose of commission.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The report concerns administrative activities that will not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from CEQA review. (CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(2).)
Sustainability: Focused objectives should be directed by Mayor and Council to the Commission for analysis, evaluation, and recommendations at least annually.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Annual objectives will assist the Commission with executing its duties under chapter 2.110 of the City Code and targeting the concerns for the community and the Council. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Mayor and Council direct the Commission to focus on the objectives, as determined by the Mayor and the City Council annually, to ensure the Commission is meeting the intent of the City ordinance and the needs of the community and the City’s police department.
Other topics include the Officer Next Door initiative and the four pillars of Accountability, Engagement, Training and Diversity
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.