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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0005) IR 21-10636 - Update on PD Policies, Practices, Training and Implementation Review PanelINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10636 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 17, 2021 Page 1 of 1 i o � SUBJECT: UPDATE ON POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICIES, PRACTICES, rrA TRAINING & IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW PANEL On November 19, 2019, the City Council approved a resolution approving the City Manager to enter into contracts with individual experts known for work related to police policy development and review. Contracts with the six individuals were negotiated and signed in December of 2019 and the panel of experts began their work in January of 2020. As everyone is aware, the work of the panel was greatly hampered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which kept the panel from traveling to Fort Worth to meet with the community and staff. Part of the process with the panel was for them to provide information to the city about policy issues and practices as they found concerns and not wait for an actual report to be produced. This would allow the police department to begin making changes in their operations as the review was in process so that future issues could be avoided. In August of 2020, the panel was able to provide a preliminary report that provided a detailed outline of observations and recommendations on several policies and practices of the Police Department. This report was presented to the City Council along with a response from Chief Kraus outlining those issues that the police department had already begun to address coupled with next steps on make further changes to be made. While the panel continued its work reviewing policies, practices and data, the overall make-up of the panel changed as some of the panel members took positions with other entities/organizations not allowing them to continue their work. Additionally, the continued challenges around the inability to travel created less than efficient processes around the exchange of information provided by the city on data and materials. In February the winter storm slowed City's staff responses to panel inquiries further. During this time, the Police Department implemented changes related to recommendations from the both the Expert Panel and from the City's Police Monitor. In the spring of 2021, it became apparent to everyone that any report by the panel would not be complete without it also providing a review of not only recommendations on changes needed, but also on how well those changes in policy and practices that have been made are succeeding. Consequently, the City Manager has extended the contracts with the four panel members still working on the project to have them deliver a report that includes the observations on the Police Department's policies and practices from when the work started until now, and their recommendations to improve those policies and practices. The report should also include a review of the changes already made by the department to date and their observations of how well the changes are working. The four panel members include Alex del Carmen, Theron Bowman, Jonathan Smith and Thomas Petrowski with the ability to supplement additional expertise as needed through sub -contracts. Extensions of the contracts have been put into place and the goal is for them to complete their work by December 1, 2021. The panel members will conduct another round of public input sessions with community members to get and update on the perception of the Police Department. Two of the contract extensions may require additional city council approval if funding caps of the original contracts are reached. Staff will prepare a resolution for city council approval in September if funding is required. If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact Jay Chapa, Deputy City Manager at 817- 392-5804 or Jesus. Chapa&fortworthtexas.gov David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS