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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12734 Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION DATE: AGENDA ITEM # Q-1 July 8, 2013 DEPARTMENT: City Council TITLE: A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PUEBLO HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION STAKEHOLDERS GROUP AND THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR REVIEWING EXISTING POLICE PRACTICES AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS ISSUE: Should the City Council approve a Resolution in support of the Pueblo Human Relations commission stakeholders group and the collaborative process for reviewing existing Police practices and making recommendations for ways to improve Police community relations? RECOMMENDATION: This Resolution is at the request of City Council Member Sandy Daff. BACKGROUND: The Pueblo Human Relations Commission (HRC) was established through an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and County of Pueblo to foster mutual respect and understanding among all citizens in the community. The Commission has conducted a series of public forums related to the Pueblo Police Department and community relations in response to community tensions and concerns. In early 2006, the HRC convened a “stakeholders group” to begin discussing Police community relations and to submit a report with recommendations to the HRC for consideration. This group reconvened on May 9, 2013, for the purpose of updating the stakeholders agreement. The group continues to review current procedures and identify possible solutions to enhance public trust and confidence in the Pueblo Police Department. This Resolution would demonstrate the City Council’s support of the HRC and stakeholders group in their efforts to provide public education, mediation, advocacy, and cultural competency, and to continue working toward improving Police community relations in the community. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None anticipated. As Amended July 8, 2013 RESOLUTION NO. 12734 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PUEBLO HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION STAKEHOLDERS GROUP AND THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR REVIEWING EXISTING POLICE PRACTICES AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS he Pueblo Human Relations Commission (HRC) was established WHEREAS, t through an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and County of Pueblo to foster mutual respect and understanding among all citizens in the community; and WHEREAS, The Commission has conducted a series of public forums related to the Pueblo Police Department and community relations in response to community tensions and concerns; and WHEREAS, on January 4, 2006, the HRC convened a “stakeholders group” to begin discussing Police community relations and to submit a report with recommendations to the HRC for consideration; and WHEREAS, on May 9, 2013, the stakeholders reconvened for the purpose of updating the stakeholders agreement; and WHEREAS, the Pueblo City Council recognizes the HRC stakeholders group as the body responsible for working collaboratively with the Police Department on police community relations issues; and WHEREAS, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, the stakeholders group continues to review current procedures and identify possible solutions to enhance public trust and confidence in the Pueblo Police Department; and WHEREAS, the HRC and the Pueblo Police Department continue to work collaboratively to resolve lower level complaints through mediation; and WHEREAS, with hard work and dedication, the HRC and stakeholders continue to work toward improving Police community relations and may one day reach consensus on the need for a complaint review process and; WHEREAS, the Pueblo Human Relations Commission, with the support of Pueblo City Council, commits to continue providing public education, mediation, advocacy, and cultural competency; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: Section 1. The Pueblo City Council supports the Pueblo Human Relations Commission in its efforts to work collaboratively through the stakeholders group to examine existing police practices and to make recommendations for improving Police community relations. Section 2. The Pueblo City Council recognizes the HRC and stakeholders group as the body responsible for working collaboratively with the Police Department on police community relations issues. INTRODUCED: July 8, 2013 BY: Sandy Daff