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 a...
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