2016.01.12 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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IliVMAT the city that works for you Council Worksession January 12, 2016 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson Councilmember Gina Bauman Councilmember Brian Strub Councilmember Paul Jacobsen Councilmember Mary Burg Absent: Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Bob Jacobson Guests in Attendance: President's Task Force on 21" Century Policing Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order and thanked the Council for their time. She looked forward to hearing the presentation from Public Safety Director Jacobson. Public Safety Director Jacobson presented the Council with further information on 21 st Century Policing. He discussed the challenges facing law enforcement due to the events that have taken place over the past year and a half that stemmed around use of force. He believed this was one of the most difficult times to be in law enforcement. While wanted his officers to become better at what they do he also wanted to make the Council aware of how the department was operating. Public Safety Director Jacobson discussed the efforts being taken by the President's Task Force to address use of force and best practices for policing. He indicated the department's most important goal at this time was to build trust with the public. This happened through positive interactions with the public both enforcing the law and through community engagement. He commented on how social media was being utilized by the department, along with training and education. He explained the mindset of the Police Department was to shift from away from warrior and toward that of a guardian. Public Safety Director Jacobson stated the department would continue to work with a broad diversity of individuals in the community. He described how the department addressed the crime rate at Polynesian Village in a positive manner and discussed how the public was involved. He explained the City was monitoring its use of force on a yearly basis in order to ensure its officers were properly trained on how to manage deadly force situations, while also educating officers on de-escalation techniques and improved verbal communication. He was pleased by the positive use of force results the department has had over the past two years given the additional training that has been offered to its officers. He indicated the City could consider a civilian oversight committee to create further public involvement in the department. Public Safety Director Jacobson discussed the shared and joint services the City has with the County and neighboring communities, along with how each of these benefits the community. He then reviewed the process that would be followed by the department and BCA if there was an officer involved shooting in New Brighton. He then noted the Council's role in this process.