Encouraging the City Administration Establish a Minority Hiring Program for Fire & Police Implement Proactive Policies Identifying Officer Behavior Look into Body Cameras a Citizens Review Board

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RESOLUTION l �3 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ENCOURAGING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH A MINORITY HIRING PROGRAM FOR THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS, TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROACTIVE POLICIES IDENTIFYING OFFICER BEHAVIOR INCONSISTENCES AND TO LOOK INTO POLICE BODY CAMERAS AND A CITIZENS REVIEW BOARD w4w. a, the South Bend Common Council recognizes that for the past several years the Council has had discussions with the City Administration on the need to develop viable programs in both the South Bend Fire Department and the South Bend Police Department which prioritize minority recruitment and retention for both of these public safety departments; and z//( w.u, the Common Council further recognizes that neither the Fire Department of the Police Department currently reflect the demographics of our City; and that the Police Department currently has many openings which need to be filled in order to reach the budgeted number of sworn members; and 2f/lueaa, on November 24, 2014, President Obama addressed the nation and noted in part that "... we need to recognize that the situation in Ferguson speaks to broader challenges that we still face as a nation. The fact is, into many parts of this country, a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color... the good news is we know there are things we can do to help. And I've instructed Attorney General Holder to work with cities across the country to help build better relations between communities and law enforcement...'; and 2Ulwrm.4, the last week in November, 2014, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. launched the Department of Justice's "National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice" which will study five (5) cities and will focus on "training to reduce bias and ensure fairness in law enforcement "; and ZOk tww on August 18, 2014, a "Unified Statement of Action to Promote Reform and Stop Police Abuse' was issued after convening fourteen (14) national civil and human rights organization and leaders which recommended in part, in response to the events in Ferguson, Missouri: '...use of body -worn cameras by police officers "...the need for diversity across police departments... "'and 2f4ow,", the City of South Bend, Indiana, has the opportunity to be a leader by moving forward on discussions to address and improve many programs in these critical areas which affect our entire community.