Title
Recommendation that the City Council: (A) Authorize the Mayor to Sign-On to Former President Obama's Pledge to Introduce Common-Sense Limits on Police Use of Force; (B) Authorize the City Manager, in Partnership with the Chief of Police, to Evaluate and Update Alameda Police Department Policies Related to the "8 Can't Wait" Initiative. (City Manager 2110)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to the release of a video on a Police call, this agenda item is being presented with initial options for City Council to provide direction in moving forward in addressing community concerns. The City has identified a few immediate actions while we continue to work toward changes in the future.
Former President Barack Obama has initiated a pledge that Mayors, Councilmembers, and others responsible for police oversight, can take as a commitment to introducing common-sense limits on police use of force. The pledge program involves four steps: review, engage, report, and reform. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign-on, on behalf of the City Council, to the pledge and direct staff to complete the necessary steps in a timely fashion.
In addition to the pledge, staff is also recommending that the City Council provide policy direction to the City Manager, in partnership with the Police Chief, to evaluate and update City policies as they relate to "8 Can't Wait" recommendations. Staff will report back to Council regarding changes made relative to "8 Can't Wait" as a standalone item and/or as part of the Mayor's Pledge.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Mayor's Pledge
The Police Department continues to look for ways to improve. To that end, staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign-on to former President Obama's Mayor's Pledge, whereby President Obama has invited Mayors, Councilmembers, and others responsible for police oversite to take a pledge committing to intr...
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