[BoulderCouncilHotline] Re: Input for tonight's study session - police oversight program

[Kane, Aimee]

Good afternoon Council Member Weaver and Hotline Followers,

Thank you for your email to Hotline. Earlier today I sent a response on behalf of the Task Force members to Council Member Young's questions. Yesterday we were able to convene members of the Task Force to answers those questions, but due to schedules we will not be able to do the same response to your questions. We will ensure the task force members have your questions and be able to address them at tonight's study session.

In Gratitude and Service,
Aimee Kane, PHR
Program and Project Manager
(pronouns: she/her/hers) What's This?<https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>

O: 303-441-4235 C: 720-315-4933
kanea at bouldercolorado.gov
City Manager's Office
1777 Broadway | Boulder, CO 80302
BoulderColorado.gov



From: Weaver, Sam <WeaverS at bouldercolorado.gov>
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2019 11:53 AM
To: HOTLINE <HOTLINE at bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: [BoulderCouncilHotline] Input for tonight's study session - police oversight program

Fellow Council Members and HOTLINE followers,

For personal reasons, I will not be able to attend tonight's study session, but I do have input on both subjects, which I hope you will consider.  Below are my thoughts on the Police Oversight Task Force report.

Regarding the police oversight task force working group, I greatly appreciate the good and hard work that the task force has accomplished so far.  I also want to give thanks to Carolyn Love for her facilitation work.  From all of the feedback that we have received, and the previous update presentation, it is clear that everyone involved is trying to create progress and improvement in Boulder's law enforcement system, and that is worthy work that I admire greatly.  Thanks to all who have been involved for their 1000+ hours of input and investment.

I am supportive of all of the task force recommendations.  I have the following questions and comments:


  1.  I thought the photo gallery of the engagements and meetings was great.  It helped to personalize the commitments made by everyone who participated in the process.
  2.  I appreciated being provided with the full results of the responses to the interview questions, as those responses illustrated the divide in viewpoints over our police work.
  3.  I would like to move forward with a proposed charter change to have the auditor/monitor (AM) report directly to the Council.  If the Council decides to proceed with the Independent Community Liaison model instead, I would want the ICL to report directly to Council as well.   Fundamentally, voters should be able to select Council Members at elections based on how well or poorly they have managed the police oversight function.
  4.  When the suggestion of 50% people of color is made for the composition of the oversight panel of 11 community members, is that to be read as 6 members who identify as a person of color?
  5.  Whether the AM reports to Council or the City Manager, the suggestion has been that the Oversight Panel evaluates the AM performance.  As a member of the Council sub-committee which evaluates our 3 employees' performances, I would point out that the review standards and criteria will need to be established fairly rapidly.  In concert with our City HR department, these evaluation processes will need to be established very clearly after we adopt any oversight program.
  6.  Similar to #5 above with regards ti criteria for future selection committee membership for Police Oversight Panel nominations and appointments.  How will Council be involved with the approval of selection committee nominations to the Oversight Panel and nominations to be on the selection committee? Reading through how other communities manage this function, it is clear that elected officials are expected to variously nominate, review, and approve the makeup of oversight committees.  I think this involvement of elected officials will be crucial to keeping the process accountable to the community.
  7.  Regarding #6 above, what nominating, approval, or commenting functions should reside within our Human Rights Commission?
  8.  Having read the questions posed by Mary Young, I would like to emphasize her #1 and #2 points regarding elected officials' involvement.  It seems that the crucial balance is between accountability at the ballot box, and independence of the A/M or ICL.  Hearing the task force thoughts on how to achieve this balance would be very helpful.

All the best,

Sam Weaver
Mayor Pro Tem
Boulder City Council
weavers at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:weavers at bouldercolorado.gov>
Phone: 303-416-6130

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