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CC - (1) Authorization for the Mayor to Sign the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Mayor’s Pledge on Police Use of Force on Behalf of the City; (2) Direction to the City Manager and/or Chief of Police to Complete the Four Steps Listed in the Mayor’s Pledge, Including Policy Review and Reform, and Community Engagement and Feedback; and (3) Discussion of Police Department Policies and Budget; and (4) Additional Direction to the City Manager and/or Chief of Police as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: June 15, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Jesse Mays, City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: City Manager’s Office (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: Citywide GovDelivery Email (06/12/2020)
Department Approval: John Nachbar (06/12/2020)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council consider (1) authorizing the Mayor to sign the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Mayor’s Pledge on behalf of the City; (2) directing the City Manager and/or Chief of Police to complete the four steps listed in the Mayor’s Pledge, including policy review and reform, and community engagement and feedback; and (3) listen to the public, discuss Police Department policies and budget; and (4) provide additional direction to the City Manager and/or Chief of Police as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Since the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, demonstrations have been held across the country and around the world to call for an end to systemic, institutional and individual racism. Responding to Mr. Floyd’s death, as well as several other recent killings of unarmed black Americans by police, the protests have also called for changes to policing. Specifically, individuals and organizations around the country have called for changes to certain police policies and practices, and a reduction in police department budgets.
Many large protests have been held in Culver City over the past several weeks about these issues:
• Sunday, May 31: People marched from Veterans Park to City Hall;
• Monday, June 1: People held a sit-in in front of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium;
• Tuesday, June 2: Culver City High School students held an event in front of City Hall, and approximately 400 people gathered at Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue;
• Saturday, June 6: An estimated 1,000 - 2,000 people marched from Culver City High School to Culver City Hall;
• Monday, June 8: People gathered at Overland and Culver Boulevards;
• Tuesday, June 9: People marched from Veterans Memorial Park to LAPD Pacific Division at Culver Boulevard and Centinela Avenue in Los Angeles.
In addition to the protests, numerous members of the public spoke at the City Council meetings on Friday, June 5 and Monday, June 8, regarding these issues. Finally, members of the public have sent City Council Members a significant number of emails about these issues.
At the City Council meeting on Monday, June 8, the City Council requested a special City Council meeting be held on Monday, June 15, to hear from the community and discuss whether changes should be made to Culver City Police Department policies or budget.
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Mayor’s Pledge
In 2014, Culver City accepted President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Challenge. As a part of the challenge, the City joined nearly 250 other MBK communities in adopting a Local Action Plan which included a commitment to address the opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color through ensuring there are opportunities and access to quality education, housing and career preparation training.
In response to the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others, Former President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance has called on mayors across the country to make a Mayor’s Pledge to commit to the following four actions:
(1) Review your police use of force policies.
(2) Engage your communities by including a diverse range of input, experiences, and stories in your review.
(3) Report the findings of your review to your community and seek feedback.
(4) Reform your community’s police use of force policies.
The City Council Police Department Liaison Committee, comprised of Mayor Göran Eriksson and Council Member Thomas Small, recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Mayor’s Pledge on behalf of the City and direct the City Manager and/or Chief of Police to complete the above four actions.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There will likely be a fiscal impact associated with completing the four actions listed in the Mayor’s Pledge, such as to hire an outside consultant if necessary to help review police use of force, do community outreach and communications, prepare a report, or assist with implementation for any reforms. There will likely be additional fiscal impacts from the need to purchase and prepare engagement and outreach materials and tools for members of the public. These costs are currently unknown. Should Council give direction to proceed, staff would return to City Council at a future date to request funding, if necessary.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Pledge; and,
2. Direct the City Manager and/or Chief of Police to complete the four actions in the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Mayor’s Pledge, including reviewing police use of force policies, engaging the community by including a diverse range of input, experiences, and stories in the review; reporting the findings of the review to the community and seeking feedback; and, reforming the City’s police use of force policies; and,
3. Discuss Police Department policies and budget; and,
4. Provide additional direction to the City Manager and/or Chief of Police as deemed appropriate.