City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 6, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Receipt of Information Regarding Options for Civilian Oversight of Policing in Alexandria and the Models for such an Oversight Body.
BODY
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ISSUE: Presentation of information regarding the options for civilian oversight of policing in Alexandria and the models for such an oversight body.
RECOMMENDATION: Direct the City Manager (1) to establish a community outreach and discussion process utilizing the attached options and models for civilian oversight of policing as the basis for that community discussion; (2) to use collected input from the City Council's discussion and the community outreach to inform an updated draft ordinance; and (3) to bring a proposed ordinance forward if feasible based on the length of public outreach for first reading at the March 9, 2021 City Council legislative meeting, and public hearing and adoption at the March 13, 2021 Council Public Hearing.
BACKGROUND: On June 9, 2020, City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2950 (Attachment 1), which condemned police brutality and systemic racism; reaffirmed that Black Lives Matter; and stated Council's intent to establish a community police review board in our City. In this resolution, City Council acknowledged that the plight of Black and Brown Americans is not only present in the form of police brutality, but is also entrenched in institutions such as the judicial system, the electoral process, career advancement, education, housing and the health care system.
The resolution also affirmed that the City of Alexandria and all government officials have a duty to ensure the protection of all communities through actions and reform, including in the justice system. To that end, the resolution directed the City Manager and City ...
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