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RESOLUTION NO. 26 OF 2020
Joint Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Establishing the
Commission on Racial Equity in Policing
WHEREAS, on May 25, 2020, George Perry Floyd died while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Mr. Floyd’s death, nationwide and in Salt Lake City, citizens have demanded that local governments address systemic racism in police departments and enact policies to establish racial equity in policing.
WHEREAS, local demands for Salt Lake City to address the culture and policies in the Salt Lake City Police Department (“SLCPD”) were intensified with the May 23, 2020 shooting of Bernardo Palacios Carbajal by SLCPD officers.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council are committed to receiving the expert, independent advice of the community to evaluate the Salt Lake City Police Department’s (“SLCPD”) policies, culture, and budget and any City policies that influence the SLCPD’s culture or policies.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council created the Commission on Racial Equity in Policing (“REP Commission”) to evaluate the SLCPD’s policies, culture, and budget and any City policies that influence the SLCPD’s culture or policies, and to provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
WHEREAS, after receiving the City Council Chair’s recommendations, the Mayor selected six REP Commission “core members”, who subsequently and independently of the City, selected additional members.
WHEREAS, the REP Commission’s discussions and recommendations are independent from influence by the City and its elected officials and is community driven, transparent, and representative of those from diverse backgrounds, expertise, and advocacy work.
WHEREAS, in the next twelve months, the REP Commission intends to:
- host community listening sessions;
- develop a Commission Compact that identifies the rules of engagement and desired outcomes;
- participate in the City Council’s zero-based budgeting work, as appropriate;
- evaluate national best-practice policies for alignment with SLCPD policies;
- recommend policy changes to SLCPD based on best practices and local needs;
- create recommendations for a police department-specific racial equity plan;
- explore ways to increase diversity (including cognitive diversity, racial diversity, and cultural diversity, and diversity of thought, culture, and approaches) in the SLCPD;
- recommend ways to more meaningfully work with the Community Advocates Group and others;
- recommend national memberships/initiatives the City should join (i.e., Not in Our Town, Campaign Zero, 8 Can’t Wait, etc.);
- review the Civilian Review Board’s role, processes, and policies and compare with recognized best practices for civilian review and oversight; and
- develop next steps for the REP Commission at the conclusion of its work.
WHEREAS, while the REP Commission is independent of the City, its fundamental role is to transparently engage the community and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
WHEREAS, for that reason, the Mayor and City Council desire to establish the REP Commission formally as a “public body” under the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act to ensure that the REP Commission’s meetings are open to the public in the manner set forth in that Act.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council also desire to provide staff support to the REP Commission and formally establish the relationship between the City and the REP Commission.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED jointly by the Mayor and the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, the following:
1. The REP Commission is established as a public body and is subject to the requirements of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act.
2. The REP Commission shall have the authority to request information or materials from the City/SLCPD to assist in its recommendations to the Mayor and City Council, and the City/SLCPD will promptly provide such materials and information to the REP Commission.
3. Any materials or recommendations generated by the REP Commission shall be provided to both the Mayor and the City Council for review and consideration. Any formal recommendations by the REP Commission to the Mayor will be submitted at the same time to the City Council.
4. The REP Commission will be administratively supported by City employees, whose duties will include, but are not limited to, posting agendas, taking minutes, collecting and distributing materials for the REP Commission’s consideration, and assisting the REP Commission with compliance with the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act and any other applicable laws. As with City boards and commissions, the City Attorney or her designee shall provide the REP Commission with legal advice.
5. The REP Commission may hold a meeting and take action only when a quorum is present.
Executed by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah on August 18th, 2020, to be effective as of August 24th, 2020.