Title
Resolution Supporting the Compliance of the Process to Identify and Appoint Members to Independent Community Police Oversight Commission with City Ordinance
Staff
Prepared by: Councilmember Nelson
Body
Whereas, The nature of the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission’s (ICPOC) role as established by Section 1:213 of City ordinance provides a unique forum for discussion, review, and oversight of the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) and the commission will “exercise its authority and judgement independent of city administration;”
Whereas, The establishing ordinance empowers the ICPOC to “provide a process for outside review of particular incidents to evaluate the police response in the incident as well as the sufficiency of any police investigation related to the incident and to recommend any changes in police policies or practices;"
Whereas, The establishing ordinance states the importance that the diversity of the commission’s membership shall be reflective of the “City’s diverse population, including income level, race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, and experience” and inclusive of segments of the community that are vulnerable and have been marginalized, and that tend to have significant negatives interactions with the police;”
Whereas, The establishing ordinance provides that the commission shall include members with “a variety of skills, expertise, and life experiences bearing on the work of the Commission, such as people who work or have worked in the fields of mediation, conflict resolution, mental health, housing, homelessness, anti-racist and equity reform, and transformative justice, and people who have had significant experience with police, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system;”
Whereas, The City through the Human Rights Commission (HRC) engaged in an initial recruitment process as provided for in the ordinance that has identified a pool of candidates to be considered by the four Council liaisons to the HRC and ICPOC for recommendation to the Council as a whole; and
Whereas, Community-wide confidence in the review, recommendation, and appointment of commission members is essential to the proper execution of the commission’s oversight purpose;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator will continue to provide assurances that staff support has been and will continue to be solely administrative and procedural in nature;
RESOLVED, That the City Attorney’s Office input shall be limited to the legal aspects of the nominating and appointment process;
RESOLVED, That the four Council liaisons are specifically and exclusively charged with the responsibility to appoint members to the commission, and those liaisons will not consult with City staff, inclusive of the police department or any other City agency concerning the suitability of applicants to the police oversight commission; and
RESOLVED, That the Council liaisons to the HRC and ICPOC shall make their appointments without undue influence from other members of Council.
Sponsored by: Councilmember Nelson