Get ready to talk about Sacramento police reforms at upcoming forums
Sacramento city leaders have hired a professional facilitator to conduct public discussions on police reforms.
The city will hire Carol Wright of local consulting firm Lang & Associates to run four public forums on police reform in coming weeks.
The events are for community members to give input on oversight and accountability measures discussed at the Sacramento City Council meeting this week as well as on the hiring of the next police chief.
The current Sacramento police chief, Sam Somers Jr., will retire in early December. An interim chief will likely be appointed, with a new chief being hired next year after Mayor-elect Darrell Steinberg takes office.
Participants at the forums will be asked to work in small groups to create recommendations to be considered by council members before a vote is taken on the reforms, according to city staff.
City council members will vote on the reforms Nov. 29.
The reforms and the details of the forums will be available on the city website by Thursday, according to city staff. Proposed dates are Nov. 11-12, and Nov. 18-19.
Councilman Eric Guerra said hiring a facilitator will create more “constructive” dialogue.
The police reforms suggested to the City Council include a stronger civilian oversight commission, although police participation in any investigations by the commission would need to be approved by the police union, city staff members said.
Reforms would also dedicate $600,000 a year to the city office that manages the commission and investigates police misconduct.
The reforms come in response to two controversial police shootings this year.
In July, police shot Joseph Mann in North Sacramento. In April, police shot Dazion Flenaugh in south Sacramento. Both men were African American, homeless and described as mentally ill by family members
This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Get ready to talk about Sacramento police reforms at upcoming forums."