City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DANA WEDELES, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES OFFICER, CMO
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Receipt of the Alexandria Independent Community Policing Review Board 2022 Annual Report.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Receipt of the Alexandria Independent Community Policing Review Board (“Board”) 2022 Annual Report.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive the Community Police Review Board 2022 Annual Report.
BACKGROUND: On June 9, 2020, City Council adopted Resolution 2950 <https://media.alexandriava.gov/docs-archives/police/info/resolutionno2950condemningracism.pdf>, that stated Council’s intent to establish a community policing review board. The resolution directed the City Manager and City Attorney to return to Council on September 8, 2020 with a proposed ordinance to establish a Community Policing Review Board in Alexandria and Council has continued the discussion following this initial draft.
At its public hearing on April 17, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance <https://alexandria.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4910341&GUID=5D7BBDC0-3448-43DF-8538-3D44B43E801A> establishing the structure of a new Independent Community Policing Review Board, to be effective as of July 1, 2021 along with its authorizing state law. The ordinance grants this board the authority to receive concerns from the community regarding policing in Alexandria; review Alexandria Police Department investigation of certain incidents and complaints; conduct independent investigations of certain incidents and complaints of more serious incidents, as defined in the ordinance; and to consider and make recommendations on policing practices, policies and procedures. The ordinance also establishes a new City Council appointed position known as the Independent Policing Auditor/Investigator to staff this new review board.
DISCUSSION: The Board held its first meeting in January 2022. Per the ordinance, the Board is required to provide City Council with an annual report each September, detailing their activities for the previous fiscal year. Board members wrote and provided staff with the attached report (Attachment) for City Council receipt and consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
ATTACHMENT: Alexandria Independent Community Policing Review Board Annual Report
STAFF:
Dana Wedeles, Strategic Initiatives Officer, City Manager’s Office
Robert Porter, Assistant City Attorney
Meghan Roberts, Deputy City Attorney
Gloria Sitton, City Clerk