Title
Retroactive Authorization to Apply For, Accept and Enter Into an Agreement for the Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant (Ordinance S-51983) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Police Department to retroactively apply for, accept, and enter into an agreement with the U.S. Conference of Mayors for the Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant program. Funding provided under this grant will not exceed $175,000. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has long been recognized for its commitment to both police reform and civil rights and for bringing mayors and police chiefs together to strengthen police-community relations and build trust between police departments and the communities they serve. Target, as well, has fostered a long standing commitment to creating and maintaining strong, healthy, and safe communities. Its support for the Conference through the years has made the Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant Program possible.
The overall goals of this effort are to recognize, strengthen and sustain policies and practices that police departments are employing today in pursuit of equitable treatment of all persons they are pledged to serve and protect. The overall scope of the project includes creating policy and training for the Police Department that emphasizes de-escalation during police interactions and accounts for youth brain development and characteristics.
The project encompasses a number of initiatives to comprehensively evaluate and develop processes targeting the Police Department's approach to youth interactions. Key components include:
- Youth Interactions Policy Development: A dedicated Youth Interactions Policy is under development to provide officers with clear guidance on engaging with youth and fostering an understanding of their developmental stages and perspectives. This policy will serve as the foundational element of the initiative.
- Youth Survey: Recognizing the importance of community input, the project proactively initiated a survey of Phoenix residents to gather insights on community concerns related to Police Department's interactions with youth. While this survey is currently open, initial responses overwhelmingly emphasize and support the initial policy draft.
- Comprehensive Policy Review: A thorough examination of existing Police Department policies relevant to enforcement to identify areas for revision and alignment with best practices.
- Enhanced Training Evaluation and Development of Best-Practice Training: A detailed assessment of current advanced training in interpersonal communication and the developmental stages and limitations of children and adolescents will be undertaken to pinpoint areas for improvement. The project will work with external clinicians and subject matter experts to create new training specifically addressing de-escalation, and the unique expectations and standards for youth interactions. This training will emphasize developmentally appropriate approaches for both discretionary enforcement and non-enforcement actions.
- System for Compliance Measurement and Dissemination: development of a compliance framework to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the policies and training on the outcome of youth interactions, with specific emphasis on de-escalation.
The grant application was due by April 18, 2025. If authorization is denied, the grant application will be rescinded.
Contract Term
The term of the contract will be twelve months beginning on June 22, 2025, with a possible six-month extension option.
Financial Impact
No matching funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.