Agenda Item 4c_APD OCL Resolution — original pdf

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[Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission] RECOMMENDATION 20201117- Date: November, 17, 2020 Subject: Austin Police Department Office of Community Liaison to remain in department as part of Community Policing goals in Reimagining Public Safety process Seconded By: Motioned By: Recommendation The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to retain the Austin Police Department’s Office of Community Liaison within Department as part of The City’s Reimagining Public Safety process. Description of Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, it is the value of the City of Austin to be an inclusive city for all of its citizens including those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and national origin backgrounds; WHEREAS, the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission was created Ordinance No. 20141211-204 to advise the City Council on issues related to the Asian American Resource Center and to provide on-going guidance and support for the City's Asian American quality of life initiatives; WHEREAS, On June 11, 2020, Austin City Council approved RESOLUTION NO. 20200611- 050, which set a goal of zero racial disparity in traffic stops, zero racial disparity in arrests and citations that result from traffic stops, zero use-of-force incidents, and zero deaths at the hands of APD officers; WHEREAS, The Office of Community Liaison works in each of Austin Police Department’s four regions as dictated by the needs of the department and the community; WHEREAS, The Office of Community Liaison provides outreach programs for vulnerable communities, representing Austin Police Department at community events, collaborate with community and Austin Police Department officers on community concerns; WHEREAS, The Office of Community Liaison’s Asian Outreach Program provides language access and is a key connector for Austin Police Department to the Austin Asian American community; 4C 1 of 2 Strongly recommends that the City Council encourage the City Manager to retain the The City Manager should investigate resources in other departments that would augment WHEREAS, the 2018 report also included a staffing study that concluded officers in the Austin Police Department have less than the necessary 35-50% of uncommitted time to support Community Policing, a metric that is also currently not met; WHEREAS, The Office of Community Liaison staff and programs serve a key function of connecting citizens to Austin Police Department officers that assists officers in participating in community programs with less uncommitted time needed. WHEREAS, the 2018 report recommendations indicate that Austin Police Department should provide funding for their Public Information Office to market its Community Policing efforts. NOW, THEREFORE: BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION: Office of Community Liaisons within the Austin Police Department. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: and expand the scope services the citizens receive from the Office of Community Liaisons. Rationale: The Office of Community Liaisons are an essential extension of the Austin Police Department by providing opportunities to show the positive impact APD can have in the community. They provide a bridge to enhance the image of APD in the community. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] 2 of 2