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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: The Mayor's Office
The Law Department
The Communications Department
The Aurora Police Department
The Aldermen's Office
DATE: September 25, 2020
SUBJECT:
The first step in the creation of a civilian review board for matters involving the Police Department.
PURPOSE:
To lay the foundation for the creation and implementation City policy with respect to the establishment of a civilian review board ("CRB") and to direct the preparation of an ordinance creating a CRB and defining its powers and duties.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora's CHANGE (Community Helping Aurora's Necessary Growth and Empowerment) Reform Initiative was created in June of 2020 in response to the national civil unrest and national calls for change in policing. The CHANGE Reform Initiative focused on strengthening police and community relations and accountability through a multi-phased approach of reviewing law enforcement policies and procedures and exploring new implementations.
The initiative led to a multi-phased approach, with the first segment focusing on police and introduced a four-step process:
i. Review police Use of Force Policy (Completed July 2020)
ii. Review police Training Policy (Completed July 2020)
iii. Conduct an audit for body cameras (R20-189)
iv. Explore the implementation of a Civilian Review Board (Current draft Resolution)
DISCUSSION:
The attached draft resolution is the last step in the current phase of the CHANGE Reform Initiative, and will establish the general framework for the CRB. The ordinance codifying the CRB as a formal city board will follow, this resolution will serve as the document formalizing the city's intent as well as providing a platform for the public to weigh in via the three public meetings (Public Health, Safety and Transportation Committee, Committee of the Whole and City Council) on the first step of establishing the CRB.
This draft resolution was created by a group that included representatives fro...
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