HomeMy WebLinkAboutCurrent BLM + Systemic Racism Detailed Status ReportCity of Iowa City
COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING BLACK
LIVES MATTER & SYSTEMIC RACISM
Resolution No. 20-159
Status Report
July 9, 2020
SUMMARY OF COMMITMENTS
The City of Iowa City is committed to embracing the Black Lives Matter Movement and addressing
Systemic Racism. The City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 20-159 on Tuesday, June
16, 2020 which outlined seventeen initial actions. A copy of that signed resolution, along with
other related resources, is available at www.icgov.org/BLM.
The seventeen actions have been identified in this initial commitment and are summarized below.
Click on an action to be taken to the status report page for that item:
Policing & the Future of Public Safety
• Develop a preliminary plan to restructure Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) towards
community policing.
• Receive a report of ICPD involvement in use of gas and flash-bang devices during a June
2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Iowa City.
• Increase accountability and oversight authority of CPRB, where legally possible.
• Improve transparency and accessibility of detailed ICPD budget expenditures.
• Review inventory of military grade equipment in ICPD, evaluate federal contracts with the
ICPD and express support for divestment of the Johnson County Sherriff’s Mine Resistant
Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
• Enact ICPD General Order to expressly ban the use of chokeholds & any maneuver that
cuts off oxygen or blood flow.
• Continue ICPD policy and practice to be consistent with IA H.F. 2647, ensuring police
officers in Iowa have not committed serious misconduct.
• Investigate compliance and evaluate disciplinary action related to proper use of body
cameras and vehicle recording devices.
• Ensure the duty to intervene and stop excessive force, in both ICPD General Order and an
MOU with area law enforcement agencies.
• Prohibit use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs against peaceful protestors.
• Adopt 2021 state legislative priorities related to criminal justice reform, enhanced
authority of the Community Police Review Board (CPRB), and decriminalization of small
amounts of marijuana.
Truth & Reconciliation
• Create an ad hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission to carry out restorative justice.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Commit $1,000,000 to local efforts promoting racial equity + social justice, including
development of a new Affordable Housing Plan.
• Increase opportunities for artistic expression by communities of color.
• Establish Juneteenth as an official city holiday beginning in 2021.
• Increase diversity of City employees, expand equitable recruitment efforts, and elevate
organizational equity training, policies, and procedures.
• Continue use of a racial equity toolkit use in all city departments, expand training to the
City Council, and educate and train the local business community
PROGRESS SUMMARY
Policing & the Future of Public Safety
Truth & Reconciliation
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
*Note: Actions showing multiple icons have some council directives accomplished and others underway; details are provided on each action’s page.
$1m. committed to SJRE efforts + Aff ordable Housing Plan
Equitable recruitment, hiring, staff training
2021 legislative priorities supporting racial/social justice
Develop Truth & Reconciliation Commission
Plan to restructure ICPD towards community policing
Report on gas/flash bang use on protestors
Increased oversight authority for CPRB
Transparent and accessible ICPD budget details
Military-grade equipment inventory review
ICPD G.O.: Chokeholds and airway restricting maneuvers
ICPD G.O.: Police misconduct related to IA H.F. 2647
ICPD G.O.: Body camera + car recorder compliance
ICPD G.O.: Duty to Intervene & stop excessive use of force
ICPD G.O.: Tear gas, rubber bullets, flash bangs in protests
Racial & Equity Toolkit expansion of use + education
Increase art + celebrations of communities of colo r
Establish Juneteenth as official City holiday
Awaiting City
Council action
Planning or action
currently underway
Some or all actions
accomplished
Action(s) completed Action(s) in progress Awaiting City
Council action
Last Updated: July 9, 2020
Resolution
“By December 15, 2020, develop a preliminary plan to restructure the Iowa City Police Department (ICPD)
towards community policing, including, but not limited to, reduction of the public’s reliance on police in non-
violent situations through use of unarmed professionals, and consideration of community policing initiatives in
other cities, including, but not limited to, Minneapolis, MN, Camden, NJ, Los Angeles, CA and San Franci sco,
CA.” (Res. 20-159, p. 1, #1)
Status Summary
Development of the preliminary plan is pending City Council discussion about the process for developing
the plan.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
TBD City Council discussion on plan development City Council
Dec. 10, 2020 Deliver preliminary plan to City Council Staff, City Council,
public input
Accomplishments
ACTION: PRELIMINARY PLAN TO RESTRUCTURE ICPD
TOWARDS COMMUNITY POLICING
Resolution
“Allocate City funds in the amount of $1,000,000 during Fiscal Year starting July 1, 2020 for efforts to
promote racial equity and social justice, including expansion of the Special Populations Involvement (SPI)
program, creation of a new robust affordable housing plan, including, but not limited to, housing in the
downtown and core neighborhoods, support of the to be determined efforts of a Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, and hold a Council work session on or before August 1, 2020 to address specific allocations.”
(Res. 20-159, p. 1, #2)
Status Summary
Allocation plans for these funds are pending City Council discussion.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
August 1, 2020 Hold City Council work session to address specific allocations City Council
Upcoming City Events Promoting Racial Equity + Social Justice
Date/Time Event How to Attend
July 21, 2020
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cracking the Codes: Film + group discussion on
institutional and structural inequities and implicit bias.
Zoom virtual meeting;
Registration required
July 28, 2020
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
White Privilege 101: Film + group discussion on the
meaning of white privilege and its impacts.
Zoom virtual meeting;
Registration required
August 4, 2020
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Healing Justice: Film + group discussion on the causes &
impacts of the criminal justice system on marginalized
communities and the importance of restorative justice.
Zoom virtual meeting;
Registration required
July 13 & 27, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Book Club/Discussion: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard
for White People to Talk About Racism.
Zoom virtual meeting;
Join meeting here.
Ongoing Iowa City Public Library Read Woke Program (all ages)
and ICPL list of free movies about race, racism, and
cultural identity available on Kanopy.
Visit www.icpl.org or
call 319-356-5200 to
learn more
Accomplishments
ACTION: COMMIT $1,000,000 TO LOCAL EFFORTS
PROMOTING RACIAL EQUITY + SOCIAL JUSTICE
Resolution
“Elevate the City’s commitment to racial equity and social justice, including expanding efforts to increase the
number of minorities employed by the City including eliminating barriers to applications, increase resources
devoted to those efforts as needed to better train all city employees and coo rdinate and report on the use of
funds dedicated for racial equity and social justice.” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #3)
Status Summary
Staff is compiling comprehensive data on employee demographics. The report will include steps
previously taken to reduce barriers to employment and outline additional measures that can be
considered to further increase the diversity of the City’s workforce. Staff will further detail previous
training efforts and recommend additional trainings that could benefit employees, board an d commission
members and the City Council.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
July 23, 2020 Kick-off meeting of new internal Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion employee committee
Staff
July 29, 2020 New pilot Cultural Proficiency Training course for City
and County staff
Staff
August 20, 2020 Publish report on city employee demographics, hiring
processes and racial justice training
Staff
Accomplishments
ACTION: INCREASE DIVERSITY OF EMPLOYES, EQUITABLE
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY TRAINING
Resolution
“By August 1, 2020, receive a report from the City Manager on the ICPD’s involveme nt in the use of gas
and flash-bang devices during the protest in Iowa City on June 3, 2020 .” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #4)
Status Summary
City Council held a work session on July 7, 2020, where they directed the City Manager and City
Attorney to select an independent firm to conduct the review of the June 3 rd protest incident. Staff will
choose a firm that has experience with reviews of similar law enforcement use of force incidents and has
not had previous contractual relationships with the City of Iowa City.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
TBD Deliver report to City Council Staff
Accomplishments
ACTION: RECEIVE REPORT ON ICPD INVOLVEMENT IN USE OF
GAS AND FLASH BANGS DURING JUNE 2020 BLM PROTEST
Resolution
“By October 1, 2020, create an ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bear witness to the truth of
racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice, through the collection of testimony and public
hearings, with such work to include a recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or
renaming public spaces and/or rights of way in h onor of the Black Lives Matter movement.” (Res. 20-159, p.
2, #5)
Status Summary
The City Council held a special work session on June 30, 2020 where they discussed the process for
developing the Truth & Reconcilia tion Commission (TRC). Council members Laura Bergus and Janice
Weiner were assigned to meet with members of the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR) to learn about their
research and receive recommendations for the TRC’s development and charge.
Council members Bergus and Weiner will coordinate with City staff to draft a resolution for the creation
of the commission which will be on the agenda for the July 21, 2020 City Council meeting. At that
meeting, there will be an opportunity for public input and an opportunity for City Council to discuss,
modify, and potentially adopt the resolution.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
Various City Council members Bergus and Weiner to meet with IFR
and gather input on TRC development
City Council
July 16, 2020 Resolution for creation of TRC delivered to City Council in
July 21 Meeting Packet
Staff
July 21, 2020 Public input opportunity at City Council Meeting City Council, Staff,
Public
TBD TRC application process initiated City Council, Staff,
Public
Accomplishments
ACTION: CREATE AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION
COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Resolution
“Make it a 2021 City Council legislative priority to advocate for and support our state delegation in
enacting criminal justice reform, eliminating the war on drugs and making changes to state law that enable
the City’s plan to restructure the police depart ment, enhance the authority of the Community Police Review
Board (CPRB) and reduce disproportionate minority contact, including support of state legislation
decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #6)
Status Summary
Prior to the start of the 2021 State of Iowa legislative session, the Iowa City City Council will adopt , by
resolution, legislative priorities, and share those with our elected State delegation and the Governor’s
Office. Staff will actively monitor progress of the Gove rnor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice
Reform and the NAACP / Iowa Police Chief’s Association Equity Committee.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
December 1, 2020 Adopt 2021 Legislative Priorities City Council
Accomplishments
• Participated in June 19, 2020 work session between the NAACP and local, state and federal law
enforcement agencies. Committed to working collaboratively on local and statewide reform and
accountability measures through a new Equity Task Force co-chaired by the Iowa Police Chiefs
Association and the Iowa/Nebraska NAACP. A summary of this first meeting is available here.
ACTION: ADOPT STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES RELATED TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM,
CPRB AUTHORITY & DECRIMINALIZATION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA
Resolution
“Continue use of the racial equity toolkit by city departments and expand such training to the City Council,
and work with our local business partners to educate and train the business community on use of a racial
equity toolkit.” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #7)
Status Summary
Staff will publish a report outlining the City’s past use of the racial equity toolkit. Additional training will
be prepared for both the City Council and the business community.
The City has coordinated a training session entitled, “Culturally Responsive Communication” which has
been scheduled for the business community on July 22.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
July 22, 2020 Deliver initial Culturally Responsive Communication training
opportunity for the business community
Staff, Iowa City
businesses
July 23, 2020 Staff to deliver report on past use of racial equity toolkit. Staff
September 2020 Deliver initial implicit bias training opportunity for
landlords. (Exact date TBD)
Staff
Accomplishments
ACTION: CONTINUE USE OF RACIAL EQUITY TOOLKIT USE AND
EXPAND TRAINING TO CITY COUNCIL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
Resolution
“Request and receive, by January 1, 2021, a report and recommendation from the CPRB, in consultation
with an attorney of its choice, regarding changes to the CPRB ordinance that enhance its ability to provide
effective civilian oversight of the ICPD, including but not li mited to those that address compelling the
testimony of officers, with the report to include a summary of measures considered and rejected by the CPRB,
whether it be for policy or legal reasons .” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #8)
Status Summary
This action will be coordinated directly by the City Council’s Community Police Review Board (CPRB). An
initial discussion by the CPRB will take place on July 14, 2020.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
July 14, 2020* Action kickoff discussion by the CPRB CPRB
December 31, 2020 CPRB to deliver report and recommendation to the City
Council
CPRB
*CPRB meeting dates subject to a quorum of members
Accomplishments
ACTION: INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT
AUTHORITY OF CPRB, WHERE LEGALLY POSSIBLE
Resolution
“Direct staff to provide a detailed expenditure summar y of the police budget on the City’s website.” (Res.
20-159, p. 2, #9)
Status Summary
Additional budget information was added to the Iowa City Police Department webpage in June of 2020.
That information is available on the Police Budget webpage. Staff will continue to increase transparency
about the Police Department operations through revised web content in 2020-2021. Additional budget
information will be added with the release of staff’s proposed fiscal year 2022 budget.
Some items staff will be working on gathering to publish on the website include recent community
policing/alternative policing efforts and investments, analyses o f calls for service, past and future
diversity efforts related to hiring and recruitment, and general improvements to the navigation and
accessibility of the PD webpage.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
Dec. 15, 2020 Update Police Department website with additional budget
and operational details
Staff
Accomplishments
• Additional fiscal year 2021 budget information was posted in June 2020 and is available at:
https://www.icgov.org/city-government/departments-and-divisions/police-department/police-
department-budget.
ACTION: IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY + ACCESSIBILITY OF
DETAILED ICPD BUDGET EXPENDITURES
Resolution
“Send the letter attached as Exhibit “A” to the Johnson County Sheriff supporting divestment of the MRAP
(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle and obtain a report from city staff on the military grade
equipment in the ICPD’s inventory and the federal contracts that provide support to the police department .”
(Res. 20-159, p. 2, #10)
Status Summary
A written letter from Mayor Teague to the Johnson County Sheriff supporting the divestment of the MRAP
vehicle was sent in June of 2020. City staff has initiated work outlining all military grade equipment in
our inventory and compiling a list of all federal contracts from 2017 to the present that provide support
for the Iowa City Police Department.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
August 27, 2020 Deliver a report to Council on military grade
equipment
Staff, City Council
August 27, 2020 Deliver a report to Council on federal contracts
supporting the Iowa City Police Department
Staff, City Council
Accomplishments
• Mayor Teague submitted a letter to the Johnson County Sheriff on June 17, 2020 supporting
divestment of the MRAP vehicle. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.
ACTION: REVIEW ICPD INVENTORY OF MILITARY-GRADE
EQUIPMENT + SUPPORT COUNTY DIVESTMENT OF MRAP
Resolution
“Direct the City Manager to expressly ban, in the ICPD’s general orders, any use of chokeholds or any other
maneuver that cuts off oxygen or blood flow.” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #11)
Status Summary
Staff is currently updating the Iowa City Police Department’s General Order on Use of Force. In
accordance with past practice, the updated version of the General Order will be forwarded to the
Community Police Review Board for review and comment.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
August 6, 2020* Community Police Review Board to review updated Use of
Force General Order
Staff, CPRB
*CPRB meeting dates subject to a quorum of members
Accomplishments
• CPRB last reviewed the Iowa City Police Department’s General Order on Use of Force at their
October 8, 2019 meeting. The board recommended changes and those were incorporated by the
Iowa City Police Department. The General Order was re-issued by the Police Department on
October 23, 2019.
ACTION: ADOPT ICPD GENERAL ORDER (G.O.) TO EXPRESSLY BAN
CHOKEHOLDS & ANY MANEUVER THAT CUTS OFF OXYGEN OR BLOODFLOW
Resolution
“Direct the City Manager to ensure the ICPD’s policy and practices regarding employment of officers is
consistent with the goals of recently enacted Iowa House File 2647 to ensure that officers working in Iowa
have not committed serious misconduct, as defined therein.” (Res. 20-159, p. 2, #12)
Status Summary
The Iowa City Police Department recruitment process already contains a robust background check process
that includes a review of past employment history. Candidates with a history of serious misconduct are not
considered for employment with the Iowa City Police Department. As the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
develops rules for the implementation of House File 2647, staff will adjust policies accordingly to ensure
complete compliance with the new law.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
TBD – Dependent
upon when the State
of Iowa releases rules
Update Human Resource policies as needed to ensure
compliance with HF 2647
Staff
Accomplishments
ACTION: CONTINUE ICPD POLICY + PRACTICES REFLECT IA H.F. 2647,
ENSURING OFFICERS HAVE NOT COMMITTED SERIOUS MISCONDUCT
Resolution
“Direct the City Manager to review the systems and reporting mechanisms in place at the ICPD for evaluating
compliance with the ICPD’s Body Worn Cameras and In -Car Recorders general order, ensure that such
systems result in consistent compliance with the general order, revise as necessary to achieve that goal,
include real consequences for non-compliance, and report back to the Council upon completion of the
review.” (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #13)
Status Summary
Staff has initiated another review of the General Order on body cameras and car recording systems. Per
past practice, such updates will be provided to the Community Police Review Board for their review and
comment. A final report to the City Council will be issued.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
September 3, 2020* Staff to present updates to the General Order to the
Community Police Review Board
Staff, CPRB
October 15, 2020 Staff to deliver final report to the City Council Staff, City Council
*CPRB meeting dates subject to a quorum of members
Accomplishments
• The Community Police Review Board reviewed and approved the General Order on Body
Cameras and In-Car Recorders at their February 11, 2020 meeting.
ACTION: EVALUATE COMPLIANCE + DISCIPLINARY ACTION
RELATED TO PROPER USE OF BODY CAMS AND CAR RECORDERS
Resolution
“Direct the City Manager to revise t he ICPD’s general orders to require officers to intervene and stop
excessive force used by other officers and report the incident directly to a supervisor, and enter into a
memorandum of understanding with other law enforcement agencies regarding such intervention when the
excessive force is being used by an officer of another agency such as that currently being discussed and
circulated among area law enforcement attached as Exhibit “B”” (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #14)
Status Summary
Staff participated in June 19, 2020 work
session between the NAACP and local,
state and federal law enforcement
agencies. A summary of the meeting is
available here.
At the joint work session, Iowa City joined
five area law enforcement agencies in
signing a Duty to Intercede MOU.
Staff has drafted a new Duty to Intervene and Report General Order and will forward to the Community
Police Review Board for review and comment.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
July 14, 2020* Community Police Review Board to review Duty to Intervene
and Report General Order
Staff, CPRB
*CPRB meeting dates subject to a quorum of members
Accomplishments
• The Executed Duty to Intercede Memorandum with area law enforcement agencies can be viewed
here.
ACTION: ENSURE DUTY TO INTERVENE & STOP EXCESSIVE FORCE,
BOTH IN ICPD AND MOU WITH AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT
Resolution
“Request and receive a report and recommendation from the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee, after
input from and consultation with local Black artists, on measures Council should consider to provide
opportunities for artistic expression by the Black Lives Matter movement and com munities of color, including
but not limited to visual arts as well as a public festival dedicated to the celebration of Black culture .” (Res.
20-159, p. 3, #15)
Status Summary
The Public Art Advisory Commission has initiated conversations and will be fo rwarding a recommendation
to the City Council in the coming weeks. Staff will continue to engage additional local arts organizations
to further this objective. Planning of a public festival celebrating Black culture is on hold until further City
Council discussion and direction.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
September 1, 2020 Receive a recommendation from the Public Art Advisory
Commission
Staff, Public Art
Advisory Commission,
City Council
Accomplishments
ACTION: INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTIC
EXPRESSION BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
Resolution
“Prohibit the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and flashbangs against peaceful protestors .” (Res. 20-159, p.
3, #16)
Status Summary
Immediate direction has been provided to the Iowa City Police Department. Any policy update on this
item is on hold until the completion of the investigation in action item #4 of this resolution. Staff will use
the report of the June 3, 2020 events and City Council’s related discussion of these reports, to inform
their review of all policies and ensure any relevant updates to policies are completed.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
August 1, 2020 Receive and discuss report on June 3, 2020 protest
response
City Council
Accomplishments
ACTION: PROHIBIT THE USE OF TEAR GAS, RUBBER BULLETS,
AND FLASHBANGS AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTORS
Resolution
“Beginning in calendar year 2021, Juneteenth, June 19, shall be a city holiday and shall replace an existing
city holiday.” (Res. 20-159, p. 3, #17)
Status Summary
Under State law, holidays are mandatory subjects of collective bargaining for public safety unions and
permissive subjects of bargaining for non -public safety unions. The City Manager’s Office will be
reaching out to all three unions representing city employees to request that Juneteenth replace an
existing holiday.
Next Steps
Target Date Milestone Action Group(s)
October 1, 2020 Obtain needed agreements from unions to replace an
existing holiday with Juneteenth
Staff
Accomplishments
ACTION: ESTABLISH JUNETEENTH AS AN OFFICIAL CITY
HOLIDAY BEGINNING IN 2021