Police Practices Review of 8CantWait

Review of #8CantWait is a Start

The City is learning and listening. The review of the #8CantWait principles and discussion is the first chapter in a series of chapters to address race and equity in Palo Alto. This will begin a foundation to review and discuss police policies and practices.

Here is an element from the City Council Race and Equity Framework:

Direct the human relations commission to lead the “8 can’t wait” campaign and to produce a report on the black and brown history and current community in Palo Alto within sixty (60) days

Review of Police Practices and the 8CantWait Principles

In response to City Council direction, the Human Relations Commission and Councilmembers Lydia Kou and Greg Tanaka will review a comparison of police practices against the 8CantWait principles.

This review will include several meetings of the Human Relations Commission, beginning July 9.

Human Relations Commission Meetings and Other Ways to Share Input

  • July 9, Human Relations Commission Meeting: 5 p.m.
    • The commission will hear public testimony and host a panel of experts to discuss police practices.
  • July 14, Human Relations Commission Meeting: time to be determined*
    • The Human Relations Commission will review the 8CantWait principles, hear a presentation from the Palo Alto Police Department and take public testimony.
  • August 13, Human Relations Commission Meeting: 7 p.m. (time tentative)*
    • The Human Relations Commission will host a Public Forum to hear current and history of black and brown experiences in Palo Alto and the region

*These series of meetings will be shared through reports provided to the City Council in August/September. As timing is confirmed, we will update this webpage.


Police Accountability

The Palo Alto Police Department continues to maintain a leadership position among law enforcement agencies across our nation with regards to police accountability, use of force policies and other public safety practices.

Community Briefings

The Police Department is holding a series of community briefings, which aim to educate the public on the department as a whole and existing policies.

  • July 1, "High-Level Overview of the Police Department" by Chief Bob Jonsen -- Watch the recorded briefing on YouTube.
  • July 8, live at 2 p.m. "Use of Force and Use of Force Investigations" -- Watch live on YouTube.
  • July 15, live at 2 p.m. "Laws of Arrest and Search & Seizure" by Assistant Chief Andrew Binder -- Set a reminder on YouTube .
  • July 22, live at 2 p.m. "Accountability within the Palo Alto Police Department" by Assistant Captain James Reifschneider -- Set a reminder on YouTube.

Helpful Links

 

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