Title
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and Executive Director of the Citizen Police Review Board to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the Densus Group to provide Citizens Police Review Board with a third-party assessment of, and effective plan to address, police citizen engagement and use of force as it is currently deployed and providing for payment of the cost thereof in the amount not to exceed $25,000.
Body
WHEREAS, In the spirit of working collaboratively with Mayor William Peduto’s first phase of his Police Reform Agenda, Council’s response is to take action accordingly; and
WHEREAS, In committing to the reforms endorsed by Mayor Peduto and created through the Pennsylvania State Legislative Police Reform Working Group, City Council is acting on the recommendation of The Working Group to “create and improve an independent, well-financed, civilian-led, and managed review board with subpoena and disciplinary powers to recommend internal affairs and criminal investigations per the negotiated disciplinary code”; and,
WHEREAS, The City of Pittsburgh has already taken the initiative of creating such a group; and,
WHEREAS, The Citizens Police Review Board (“CPRB”) was created by referendum in 1997, and its powers and duties, and limitations are set forth in the Home Rule Charter of the City of Pittsburgh and in the Pittsburgh City Code; and,
WHEREAS, Per the recommendation directing us to improve such a group’s efficacy, being truly committed to change, Council is working to further empower the CPRB in their fundamental mission to provide independent review and examination of police conduct; and,
WHEREAS, Council is funding CPRB’s efforts to work with the Densus Group, which has been previously identified by the Citizens Police Review Board as the organization to assist in assessing, reporting, and providing recommendations in response to police and community conduct; and,
WHEREAS, The Densus Group has previously provided CPRB with technical assistance in matters of public order; and,
WHEREAS, The urgency and the gravity of the situation in which the City finds itself necessitates that we hold ourselves steadfast to the commitment we made when we took the oath of office -- to serve the people and in doing so ensure their health, safety, and ability to exercise their constitutional rights; and,
WHEREAS, be it resolved that, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh urges the CPRB to continue to investigate verified complaints filed alleging police misconduct and activities related to community police interactions beginning Saturday, May 30th 2020; and,
WHEREAS, be it further resolved that, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh is committed to holding itself and all City employees accountable and wishes to extend its gratitude to CPRB for its continued diligence in providing independent review of police conduct.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor and the Executive Director of the Citizen Police Review Board to, on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, are hereby authorized to enter into Professional Services Agreement(s) and/or contract in a form authorized by the City Solicitor with the Densus Group for the purpose of assessing police citizen engagement and use of force as it is currently deployed and providing for payment of services rendered in the amount not to exceed $25,000.