HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-31-2013 Ad Hoc Diversity Committeer
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MEMORANDUM
Date: January 23, 2013
To: Ad Hoc Diversity Committee Members
From: Marian K. Karr, City Clerk
Re: Committee Packet for meeting on January 31, 2013
The following documents are for your review and comment at the next Committee meeting:
Agenda for 01131/13 (page 1)
Minutes of January 14 (pages 2 - 7)
Materials from City Clerk:
• Proposed list of recommendations (pages 8 - 9)
• Article — Low Attendance Limits 'growing pains' feedback (pages 10)
Materials from Committee Member Vanden Berg:
• Email — Learn more about race, trust and police legitimacy (page 11 -12)
• Email —Additional resources regarding Citizen Review; Cultural Competency for Law
Enforcement; Community; Building Trust Between the Police and the Citizens They
Serve (pages 13 -14)
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THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS
AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Harvat Hall in City Hall
410 East Washington Street
4:00 PM
1. Approve January 14 minutes
2. View Police recruitment video
3. Discussion of recommendations and timeline
4. General Board discussion
5. Tentative Meeting Schedule
Y February 11 — Harvat Hall
6. Public Input
7. Adjournment
I/—
Ad Hoe Diversity Conunittee, January 14, 2013 Page 1
MINUTES DRAFT
AD HOC DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
JANUARY 14, 2013
HARVAT HALL IN CITY HALL, 4:00 P.M.
Members Present: Cindy Roberts, Joe Dan Coulter, Joan Vanden Berg, LaTasha Massey
Orville Townsend, Sr.
Members Absent: Kingsley Botchway II, Bakhit Bakhit
Staff Present: Bentley, Dilkes, Karr
Others Present: Megan Schwalm
REVIEW MEETING MINUTES:
Co- Chairperson Roberts began the meeting with the January 3, 2013, meeting minutes, asking if
there were any amendments to be made.
Coulter moved to approve the January 3, 2013, meeting minutes as presented.
Townsend seconded the motion.
The motion carried 5 -0; Botchway and Bald it absent.
Karr introduced Adam Bentley from the City Manager's office.
REPORT ON SUBCOMMITTEE INFORMATION GATHERING SESSIONS:
Roberts noted that they have a lot of information to digest from their recent public forums. She
asked Members how they would like to begin this review. Vanden Berg noted that she definitely
sees `themes' in the information they gathered. Roberts then suggested they start with the school
forums. Vanden Berg shared that the notes of information gathered at City High and at West
High appear to show very similar issues. She added that the students she spoke with gave good
examples of what is not working for them, as well as what does work for them. Vanden Berg
noted that many students spoke highly of Jorey Bailey, the police officer in the southeast area of
town, and they also shared their experiences with the police in general. Massey spoke to the
school forums as well, adding that students also gave solutions to these issues, which she finds to
be helpful. Being able to interact with the police was one of the issues, with students stating that
they would like to be able to speak directly with police officers about their experiences.
Roberts asked if others believe there is a general confusion among citizens of what their rights
are when dealing with the police. Massey responded that she believes some of this is due to
history and the youths' response to law enforcement in past experiences. Vanden Berg also
—,;I_—
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, January 14, 2013 Page 2
shared that some students had experience with police and `excessive force.' She stated that it is
obvious that there is a need to educate the public on what processes are in place when these types
of instances occur and people want to make a complaint. Coulter asked if there were other
ethnicities present at the school forums besides African Americans. Vanden Berg stated that
they had one Latino student at West High for a very brief time. Coulter added that he is bothered
with the fact that they are not getting more feedback from other ethnic groups.
Townsend spoke to the Pheasant Ridge information gathering session. He stated that there were
mostly Sudanese adults at this session. The focus here, according to Townsend, was on more
knowledge of what their rights are. He shared an example that a citizen brought up at the
session, adding that it appears there are some inconsistencies in how officers are approaching
citizens. Townsend stated that those present at the Pheasant Ridge session truly want to work
with the police, but feel they cannot trust them.
Roberts then took the conversation back to the school sessions, asking Members how they
believe the issues there could be addressed. Vanden Berg noted that having better `customer
service,' such as knowing students' names and even saying `hello' could go a long way in this
area. Working on relationship building would go a long way in this regard. Massey shared some
of the stories that students had about Officer Bailey. The fact that he knows them and explains
why he is doing what he is doing has gone a long way in building relationships with the youth in
that area of town. Massey also stated that many students suggested the hiring of more officers of
color and more female officers. Townsend then spoke to the issue of consistency among the
police officers and how it was obvious from comments that this is lacking in many cases. He
believes that standardization of procedures is needed throughout the ICPD. He shared an
example of someone who did not speak English well and during a stop had to wait until an
interpreter showed up, at which time even more officers arrived. All of this, he added, gives the
wrong impression for the police.
Vanden Berg spoke to this issue as well, noting that a comment she heard at The Spot was that if
a police call is for a Latino or African American household, the police send more than one car.
Roberts stated that a comment she heard at The Spot had to do with her asking a participant —
can you give me a sense in interactions with police officers —would you say it's a small group of
officers that approaches these situations in a negative way and not with customer service in
mind, not with respectful... is it a relatively small group or is this an endemic problem. The
person responded that they believe it is a relatively small group of officers that are perhaps
approaching these situations in an inappropriate way. She asked other Members if they heard
this at their gathering sessions, that a small group of officers appear responsible for these
behaviors. Townsend responded that people appear to expect the negativity when interacting
with the police. Massey stated that to her it appeared that five or six officers' names were being
heard more than others were, but that she couldn't put a definite number to this issue.
Roberts asked others their thoughts at this point, reiterating that it sounds like there are definite
`police issues' here. However, she added that she wondered if this committee would ever know
exactly where the problem comes from — is it the top down, is it just a small group of individuals,
or is it a communication problem. Townsend reiterated his belief that many of the participants at
these forums need education on their rights, that they are completely unaware of the procedures
-3-
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, January 14, 2013 Page 3
that they can go through to file a complaint against a police officer in question. Massey stated
that at The Spot, participants were aware of the PCRB but appeared to feel that it would be
irrelevant in their situation. Vanden Berg noted that also at The Spot they talked about the
recruitment video and that she pulled it up recently to watch it. She suggested that everyone look
at this video. Townsend stated that he had mentioned this video previously. Roberts also spoke
to this recruitment video, agreeing that it is somewhat shocking how Iowa City is being
portrayed in the video.
Members continued to discuss the ICPD recruitment video, questioning the culture of the
department. Townsend spoke to the `protect & serve' approach of law enforcement, and that he
is not seeing this in the ICPD. He stated that several people stated that they would be glad to
interact with officers within the community, to get to know them better, but that currently they
do not have that positive interaction with the ICPD.
The discussion turned to transportation issues, and what comments were heard regarding how the
system is working. Members noted that students agreed that some routes were `noisy and loud'
and that they had seen fights break out before. Roberts shared past experience with how Transit
handled problem routes using supervisors and drivers targeting specific routes. She stated that
the hope is to not get the police involved, that the issues have to do with acceptable behavior on a
public facility. Coulter noted how the use of video in many situations can clarify exactly what
took place.
The discussion turned to transportation and how individual bus drivers implement the guidelines
of the Transit Department. Roberts noted that some drivers do a very good job of this, and some
do not. Attorney Dilkes noted that the drivers' primary rule is to drive the bus and keep the
vehicle on the road for the passengers' safety. She added that they cannot also be the
disciplinarian. Roberts suggested that the Transit department periodically examine the bus video
tapes to see how drivers are handling situations. Members continued to look at transit issues,
agreeing that they should have Transportation Services Dir. Chris O'Brien back to respond to
some of their questions. Issues like Sunday service and service later in the day, particularly on
Friday and Saturday nights, were also heard by many at the forums. In addition to these,
however, was the issue of routes themselves. Many feel that they are limited when using transit
if they work an early shift, or are at the edge of town. Townsend also spoke to the issue of
Kirkwood students needing to be able to get to the Cedar Rapids' campus. He suggested that the
school should work with the communities between here and there to get grants needed to provide
such a service.
Massey also spoke to transportation issues. She noted such issues as being able to take a family
downtown for an evening event and how the bus service ends too early to stay at such an event,
and also service on Sundays, as ones she heard at the forums. Vanden Berg added that students
like having the bus come every half hour, as it keeps the wait from being so long. Coulter then
spoke to the environment at some of the bus stops in town. Some are full of garbage; others have
no place to sit. He believes the `environment' of the stops needs to be looked at, as well.
Townsend stated that this makes him think of `education' and `consequences.' He believes that
once they have a plan in place they need to get into the schools and educate the students on what
the expectations are, and also what the consequences will be for not following these
/ --
Ad Hoe Diversity Conunittee, January 14, 2013 Page 4
expectations. Members then spoke to the best way to educate students on bus behavior — best
time of the year, best way to get the word out. They also addressed the issue of more
collaboration between Coralville and North Liberty's systems with Iowa City's transit system.
Transit schedules were touched on next, with comments being heard at the school forums on how
late they can be when buses get off schedule.
Vanden Berg took the discussion back to law enforcement, questioning the culture of law
enforcement in light of the recruitment video seen recently. Townsend shared that he had looked
at a couple of other recruitment videos, one for New Jersey, and the other for Pittsburg. He
stated that their approach was totally different than Iowa City's. It was informational and warm,
where Iowa City's appears much tougher and rougher, more military in style. Roberts asked
how long this video has been around and Members briefly discussed this issue. Townsend asked
if they could get this video in for the whole group to see. Karr stated that she had it available for
two other meetings earlier in the Committee process but was not viewed, she can bring it back
for the next meeting and schedule as an agenda item.
Townsend stated that he believes they need some `know your rights' sessions that can be held in
the minority communities here in Iowa City. Members continued to speak about the video,
questioning what the message is there for recruits. Roberts then asked if others had information
to share from their forum experiences. Coulter stated that there were very few participants at the
HyVee session, and that supposedly a Press- Citizen reporter was there and a story written. Karr
stated that she can include this article in the next packet. Townsend added that Channel #9 News
had a camera at one of his sessions.
DISCUSSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND TIMELINE:
Karr noted that after this evening's discussions, she has amended the recommendations list to
include some of the categories and /or issues mentioned. Coulter stated the recommendations
need to be "cleaned up" and put into frill sentences. She agreed that they do need to discuss how
they want to pull this together and whether or not they want to have either Transportation
Services Dir. O'Brien and /or Police Chief Hargadine back to meet with them again. City Atty.
Dilkes and City Clerk Karr stated subcommittees could be utilized between meetings to
formulate recommendations. Coulter recommended they do this after they have had time to
review all of this information. He suggested they start pulling the recommendations together and
vetting them with others to make sure they haven't overlooked anything. Townsend suggested
that as they start putting the recommendations together that they keep track of areas they need
more into in and once done they can go back and review those questions and concerns. At that
time the staff resources could come back to revisit things with them.
TENTATIVE MEETING SCHEDULE:
Members then discussed the meeting schedule. March 10 is the Committee's deadline. Coulter
shared that he is a bit concerned that they have not heard much from the University community.
Massey shared that she heard a couple of comments at The Spot from students about law
enforcement and the bar scene in downtown. Members briefly discussed some of these issues,
noting that there is often a fine line between what is appropriate in such situations.
-5-
Ad Hoc Diversity Committee, January 14, 2013 Page 5
Karr reiterated that she will have the recruitment video at the next meeting. Members talked
about the dates scheduled currently, noting specific absences by Members. Dilkes spoke briefly
to Members about how they might proceed in crafting their recommendations. She suggested
having subcommittees to bring these recommendations together — perhaps one for law
enforcement and one for transportation.
Members then talked about the actual meeting schedule, with Roberts asking if a different day
would work for others. After some discussion, Members agreed that they could meet on
Thursday, January 31, at 4:00 P.M. The meetings of January 24 and 28 will be cancelled.
Vanden Berg stated that she has some information to share with Members that she will get to
Karr for the next packet. Karr will attempt to get the packet out earlier so Members have more
time to review the data. Members continued to discuss a second meeting, settling on Monday,
February 11 at 4:00 P.M.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Royceanne Porter noted that on January 20 there is an event at The Spot. She asked if the Ad
Hoc Committee wanted to set up a table, noting that several agencies will have tables there for
the "What's Happening Now" event. Individual Members expressed interest.
ADJOURNMENT:
Vanden Berg moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:35 P.M.
Massey seconded the motion.
The motion carried 5 -0; Botchway and Bakhit absent.
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PROPOSED LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS (page 1 of 2)
01 -14 -13
Police Citizens Review Board
Education (Process, Procedure, Authority /power)
Option for PCRB member to participate in complainant interview with Police
City Manager participation in officer interview
Human Right Coordinator involvement at the front end of a complaint; advocacy role
Provide exit survey to the complaint
Police Civil Service Recruitment Education
State & federal regulations
Barriers to testing
Video — not representative of culture
Police
Education (Process, Procedure, Authority /power)
Develop "Community Policing" Program
Improve Community Relations
Annual evaluation of police performance re diversity issues; public report
Different culture (video)
Improve customer service
Transportation
Explore flexibility re Sunday Service
Involve Kirkwood in discussion re direct service routes for students
Language/respective behavior
Youth liaison or supr. To driver can "drive"
BONGO isn't always precise
Later service on Saturday
Better routes & schedules for business on Hwy. 6 (partner with local business /shifts)
Transfers not "friendly"
Involve youth in educating (create video)
Improve condition of environment at hub & stops (trash/language /seating /dirt)
Three entities work with Kirkwood and provide service to Cedar Rapids campus
Buses don't always run on schedule/ leave early (tardy for school)
Delays for entire bus while waiting for police
Communications
Better use of neighborhood associations to educate and inform
Orientation of new residents
Improve education of issues with School District
Statement on website re City's concern for diversity /working to promote and collaborate
cultural communities
Create "Know Your Rights" Session
PROPOSED LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS (page 2 of 2)
01 -14 -13
Pending Recommendations to Council from Hunrrnr Riglets Conmiissiou:
1. The Human Rights Commission recommends to the Iowa City City Council that a
committee be established to review the Police Citizen Review Board. That committee
can be compromised of city staff, councilors or community members, but must contain at
least one human rights commissioner. The review board would investigate the strengths
and challenges of the current Police Citizen Review Board model and consider whether it
is the right model for the city. In reviewing the strengths and the challenges of the
current Police Citizen Review Board, the review committee would determine whether the
current structure best serves the city. (March 20, 2012)
Pending Recommendations to Council from Police Citizens Review Board:
1. To change the name to Citizens Police Review Board. (June 12, 2012)
2. To remove the language regarding Formal Mediation within the City Code and from the
Standard Operating Procedures. (June 12, 2012)
3. To offer as an option, the ability for a Board member to accompany the complainant
during the police investigation interview process for a PCRB complaint, at the
complainant's request. (June 12, 2012)
4. Recommendation to change the Board's 45 -day reporting period to 90 -days. (October 9,
2012)
Public Concerns
1. Continuation of Diversity issues / discussion/ Committee
2. Oversight and implementation of recommendations
17—
Page
Local
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Iowa City Press - Citizen
• •
leaders hoping to resolve transportation, law enforcement issues
By Adam B Sullivan
Iowa City Press - Citizen
"Iowa City leaders are hoping
to gather input about transpor-
tation and law enforcement is-
sues facing local minorities, but
gathering that input is proving
;difficult.
The city's ad hoc diversity
committee is hosting a series of
open meetings this week in
hopes of getting perspectives
from stakeholders about ways
to ease what organizers say are
Iowa City's "growing pains."
"The demographics of Iowa
City have changed dramatical-
ly and in many respects it's a
positive thing when a city
grows more diverse, but it's
Continued from Page 3A
Iowa professor and mem-
ber of Iowa City's ad hoc
diversity committee.
As Iowa City's minor-
ities populations have
grown over the last dec-
ade, "growing pains" have
included disparities in ar-
rest rates among minor-
ities as well as transporta-
tion issues. For example,
high school students who
live in low- income neigh-
borhoods on the south side
of town have to take long
bus rides to school at City
kind of growing pains when a
city changes a lot in a short peri-
od of time," said Cindy Roberts,
co- chairwoman of the commit-
tee. "There's a lot of playing
catch -up with certain things."
Only about 10 people showed
up to Wednesday night's meet-
ing at Hy- Vee,1720 Waterfront
Drive. Only a few of those at-
tendees were minorities, and
n What: Public information gathering session about the oper-
ation Iowa City's transit system and law enforcement. The
gatherings will focus particularly on the downtown inter-
change and the Police Citizens Review Board as it relates to
minority populations.
n When, where: 6 p.m, today at The Spot, 1030 Crosspark
Ave.
High.
In November, Iowa City
leaders hosted an informa-
tion- gathering session
downtown, but organizers
said the formal nature.of
that meeting may have in-
hibited good feedback.
To combat that, the city
planned this week's meet-
ings to be more informal.
Additionally, the meetings
are in relevant areas of the
community, rather than
downtown. In addition to
the meeting at Hy -Vee,
there was a meeting Tues-
day at the Pheasant Ridge
Center and another is
planned for today at the
Spot, 1030 Crosspark Ave.
There also are meetings
none of them said they were
from areas town leaders are
hoping to glean input from.
"We're trying to do it in such
a way that you can draw all the
groups in, but there are always
voices you know are out there
that you're not hearing," said
Joe Coulter, a University of
See FEEDBACK, Page SA
this week at City High and
West High aimed at gath-
ering input from teenage
stakeholders.
The ad hoc diversity
committee was created in j
September and is sup-
posed to dissolve in March
after submitting a list of
possible reforms to the
city.
"We're trying to find re-
curring themes," Roberts
said. "Based on the set of
feedback we're getting,
we'll turn those recurring
things into a list of recom-
mendations."
Reach Adam a Sullivan at asulli-
van ®press-citizen.com or 887 -5412.
Marian Karr
From: Joan VandenBerg < VandenBerg .Joan @iccsd.k 12.ia.us>
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:35 PM
To: Marian Karr
Subject: FW: New Web Pages on Law Enforcement Legitimacy - NIJ.gov Update
Listed below is a link that I'd like to forward to the Task Force — "Learn more about race, trust and police legitimacy."
Thanks!
Joan
From: Nesteby, Kathy [DHR] [mailto: Kathy. Nesteby@iowa.gov]
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 9:52 AM
To: Joan VandenBerg
Subject: FW: New Web Pages on Law Enforcement Legitimacy - NIJ.gov Update
Morning Joan —
I thought you might be interested in this (see below) for your City Council subcommittee .
Peace,
Yathy Nesteby
Division of Criminal & Juvenile Justice Planning
Department of Human Rights
321 E. 12th St.
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
515 - 281 -6915 (w)
515 - 290- 5535(c)
www.humanriahts.iowa.aov /cii
www.women.iowa.gov/qirls
"When you get into a tight place and
everything goes against you,
till it seems as though you could not
hang on a minute longer,
nevergive up then,
for that is just the place and time that
the tide will turn.,,
- 91arriet (BeecherStowe
Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the Iowa Public Records Law, Code of Iowa Chapter
22, and may be disclosed to third parties.
M.
We have posted new topic pages on NIJ.gov on race, trust and police
legitimacy. Research consistently shows that minorities are more likely
than whites to view law enforcement with suspicion and distrust.
Minorities frequently report that the police disproportionately single
them out because of their race or ethnicity.
The public's perceptions about the lawfulness and legitimacy of law
enforcement are an important criterion for judging policing in a
democratic society. Lawfulness means that police comply with
constitutional, statutory and professional norms. Legitimacy is linked to
the public's belief about the police and its willingness to recognize
police authority.
Learn more about race, truct and police legitimacy.
View NIJ Topics A -Z.
Stay
Connected
0 `-
a �=
0-
DO] link
policies
apply.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the District's email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This email
communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and /or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosure
under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this
communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believe
you received this communication In error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information Is strictly prohibited. Thank
you.
/2
Marian Karr
From:
Joan VandenBerg < VandenBerg .Joan @iccsd.k12.ia.us>
Sent:
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 9:41 PM
To:
Marian Karr
Subject:
FW: resources
Here are some additional resources for the committee. I hope that I'm not too late for the packetl
From: Nesteby, Kathy [DHR] [Kathy.Nesteby @iowa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 4:30 PM
To: Joan VandenBerg
Subject: resources
Hi Joan —
Some leads for you regarding the topics you mentioned for your Ad Hoc Diversity committee:
Citizen Review
Boards <https: / /nci rs.gov /App /Sea rch /Sea rch Results.aspx ?txtKevwordSea rch= Citizen +Review +Boards &fromSearch =l>
Cultural Competency for Law
Enforcement < https: / /nci rs.gov /App /Sea rch /Sea rch Results.aspx ?txt KeywordSearch =cu ltura I +com petencv +pol ice &fromS
earch =l> (this had the least promising results)
Community
Policing<https: / /nci rs.gov /App /Search /Sea rch Results.aspx ?txtKevwordSea rch = community +po I ici ng &fromSea rch =l>
I also thought that this publication in particular looked promising:
Building Trust Between the Police and the Citizens They Serve <http: / /www.cops.usdoi.gov /Publications /e080917232-
BuildingTrust.pdf>
I'll let you know if I come up with anything else. Hope this gives you a place to start anywayl
Take care.
Peace,
Kathy Nesteby
Division of Criminal & Juvenile Justice Planning Department of Human Rights
321 E. 12th St.
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
515- 281 -6915 (w)
515- 290 -5535 (c)
www. h u m a n rig hts. iowa. gov /ce i p <htt p: / /www. h u m a n rights. i o wa.gov /c' i p>
www.women.iowa.gov/girls<http://www.women.iowa.gov/girl >
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
— George Washington
Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the Iowa Public Records Law, Code of Iowa Chapter
22, and may be disclosed to third parties.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the District's email server are archived in accordance with District policy
and procedures. This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential
and /or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is
intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this
communication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if
you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention,
copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.
/(V I
T
4A-, lla�au l-
/3/
JAN 2 8 The Coalition for Racial Justice
2013 c/o First Baptist Church
Cl,,J 500 N. Clinton, Iowa City, IA 52245
Pastor Dorothy Whiston
319 - 338 -7995 or 319 - 321 -7920 (cell)
dwh istonCa.mchsi. com
January 28, 2013
To: The Iowa City Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity
Re: Recommendations
On behalf of the Coalition for Racial Justice (a broad based community network that came out of
the Consultation of Religious Communities' Task Force on Race in 2010) we would like to .
commend the Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity for all the hard work you have done over the last
several months, and particularly for your efforts to make sure all segments of the community
have been able to provide input to your process.
Based on the Coalition's work over the last 36 months related to racial disparities locally, we
would like to make three suggestions we hope you will include in your final report to the City
along with any specific recommendations you make for addressing issues related to racial
disparity in public transportation and law enforcement.
It seems clear from your work, the public discussion of the Diversity Policy being considered by
the ICCSD Board, the discussion of racial disparity as it relates to the proposed County Justice
Center, etc., that there is a need for an ongoing and broad based community discussion on racial
disparities in our town. Our first recommendation is that the City continue to foster this dialogue
by either extending the term of the Ad Hoc Committee that now exists or by convening a follow -
up committee to continue to address issues of racial disparity. The scope of the committee
should be broadened to include not only public transportation and law enforcement, but also
housing, employment, access to health care and other areas. It is very important for the well-
being of our community and of individual citizens that City government facilitates this kind of
wide - ranging dialogue so that specific problems of racial inequity can be uncovered and
addressed.
Second, and perhaps most importantly, we encourage your Committee to ask the City to develop
and implement a comprehensive racial equity impact analysis of all City departments' current
policies, practices, budget and staffing as they relate to the departments' functioning and
outcomes, to be completed as soon as possible. Once this baseline information is gathered, we
would further recommend the City include racial equity impact analysis as part of the on -going
decision- making process for future policies, practices, budgets and staffing decisions, again as
they affect departments' functioning and outcomes.
We believe these two steps would greatly assist the City in including specific goals, objectives
and methods for addressing racial disparities in its Strategic Plan, which we see as a fundamental
part of carrying out the City's commitment to working long -term and systematically toward
racial equity, something perhaps best done under the long -term guidance of the Human Rights
Commission.
In any case, we hope the City will take a research- verified approach to its work on overcoming
racial disparities. Establishing an objective, outcome -based analysis of race issues takes the
discussion out of the realm of personal or even institutional intentions and looks instead at actual
and predictable (based on research) functioning and outcomes of policies, practices, staffing and
budgeting as they relate to racial equity.
Only then can people decide if current outcomes and future proposals are, in fact, what we want
to achieve as a community. And if they're not, we can then look at and implement a mix of well -
studied and innovative approaches that will more likely help us become the community we desire
to be in terms of racial equity.
Again, the Coalition for Racial Justice very much appreciates the time, effort and creativity
members of your Committee have offered to our community. We would be delighted to see all
of you continue to serve us in this way, either through an extension of your Ad Hoc Committee's
charge or through a new committee or format the City might implement to carry forward your
important work done thus far. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rev, Dorothy Whiston
Pastor, First Baptist Church
For the Coalition for Racial Justice
„ x,.,
JAN 2 8 2013
City Cl.�,]';;
Iowa City, town
City of Iowa City Ad hoc Diversity Committee
C'aa/Ver
January 31, 2013
Proposed recommendation to the Ad hoc Diversity Committee, submitted by 1. D. Coulter, Committee
member.
That the City of Iowa City (City), City Manager provide an annual report to the City
of Iowa City Council (City Council) and the public concerning the status of law
enforcement, public transportation, and other City services or programs as these
City services relate to the needs and concerns of the City's racial /ethnic minority,
immigrant, juvenile and elderly, disabled, poor, and other special populations.
This annual report of the City Manager shall be called "The City of Iowa City
Annual Equity Report" (Report) and shall involve and include the following:
1. The Report format and composition shall be developed by the City Manager
in consultation with the City Council, the City of Iowa City Human Rights
Commission, other relevant City Commissions, Boards, and Committees, and
the City's Departments, Programs and Services.
2. The Report will include the most recent data and information available
regarding the Iowa City Police Department: a.) arrests, b.) incarcerations,
c.) offences /infractions, d.) complaints, e.) administrative procedures and
practices, e.g. personnel, training, f.) community outreach and
communication programs and services, g.) other pertinent information.
3. The Report will include the most recent data and information available
regarding the Iowa City Transportation Services Department: a) routes and
frequency of service, b.) occupancy / utilization, c.) coordination with other
public transportation services, including public schools, d.) users /ridership
communication services, e.) use of surveillance technology, f.) disruptions of
service, g.) complaints, h.) administrative procedures and practices, i.) other
pertinent information.
4. The Report data and information (whenever available and aggregated to
protect individual /personal identification) shall include: a.) race, b.)
ethnicity, c.) immigrant status, d.) gender, e.) juvenile /adult status or age,
f.) disability status, g.) geographical location, h.) social - economic status.
1
Police Integrity I National Institute of Justice
Pa eIof2
``
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
The Research, Development, and Evaluation Agency of the U.S. Department of Justice
Police Integrity
On this page find:
• Overview of Integrity
• \lanagement and Culture Affect Integrity
• I low to Improve Integrity
Overview of Integrity
A police force with integrity is one with little or no misconduct or corruption. In the past, most studies
viewed the problem of misconduct as one of individual problem officers, the so- called bad apples on the
force. More recent studies show that whites generally see misconduct as episodic and confined to
individual officers, while blacks tend to see misconduct as a more entrenched aspect of policing.) i I
Management and Culture Affect Integrity
Current research finds that the management and culture of a department are the most important factors
influencing police behavior.IZl How the department is managed will dramatically affect how officers
i'
behave toward citizens. And how officers behave toward citizens will affect whether citizens view law
enforcement as an institution with integrity.
Organizations that place priorities in the following areas will do better at maintaining integrity pl:
• Accountability of managers and supervisors
• Equal treatment for all members of the organization
• Citizen accessibility to the department
• Inspections and audits
• Quality education for employees
Defining values and principles and incorporating them into every facet of operations may be more
important than hiring decisions. Diligence in detecting and addressing misconduct will show officers
that managers practice what they preach.
How to Improve Integrity
Findings from a study of 3,235 officers from 30 mostly municipal law enforcement agencies reveal the
following recommendations for police managersNl:
• Address and discipline minor offenses so officers learn that major offenses will be disciplined
too.
• Open the disciplinary process to public scrutiny.
• Rotate officer assignments to discourage the formation of bonds that lead officers to cover up the
misconduct of others.
Many departments are improving integrity and raising the standards for officers by taking the following
steps:
• Improving the way they hire and train officers in ethics and cultural awareness.
• Collecting data to track traffic stops and other encounters with citizens.
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