Title
Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Develop an Unarmed Public Safety Response Program
Memorandum
This resolution directs the City Administrator to explore opportunities for unarmed response to public safety calls in the City of Ann Arbor through Metro 911, by means that may include the formation of partnerships with community service providers, an identification of which activities currently carried out by armed police could be carried out by unarmed third parties, and other lines of investigation.
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In America, police officers are tasked to perform many functions better suited for non-police persons with extensive training and expertise in public health, mental health, and human services (collectively, "Subject Matter Experts");
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor does not provide direct public health, mental health, or human services, those services instead being provided by Subject Matter Experts at Community Mental Health, the Washtenaw County Public Health Department, and a combination of the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development and a wide variety of non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations ("Subject Matter Agencies");
Whereas, During even non-confrontational police-public interactions involving public health, mental health, and human service needs, the presence of a holstered firearm may give rise to feelings of unease and intimidation, particularly among persons from BIPOC communities;
Whereas, In America, 22% civilian fatalities (since 2015) and a substantial portion of injuries arising from police engagements involve persons who suffer from mental illness, with some of these fatalities and injuries occurring during calls for service where the deployment of police officers was not necessary;
Whereas, The deployment of a successful public safety respo...
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