Alameda City Council approves police reform policy changes

Published on May 10, 2021

At a meeting on Saturday, May 8, the Alameda City Council convened to consider seven police reform actions brought forward for consideration by Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and Vice Mayor Malia Vella. These actions accelerate and add to police reform and racial equity recommendations that were unanimously advanced by the City Council earlier this year.

Following public comment from 38 individuals and additional public correspondence received by mail and email, members of the City Council discussed the seven actions on the agenda.

The City Council approved all seven actions being considered in three motions.

The first motion to create a mental health-oriented response program passed with 4 yes votes and 1 no vote. The motion directs the City Manager to shift response of as many Alameda Police Department (APD) calls for service to existing resources and return as soon as possible, and no later than the end of June, with a pilot program proposal and budget that incorporates City Council feedback received at this meeting. The motion also directs staff to prepare a compendium of all mental health resources currently available, and direct protocols for their use. This motion reflects actions 5 and 2 of the seven actions listed in the Meeting’s Agenda (see link to Council Referral below).

The second motion passed with 3 yes votes and 2 no votes and had several components. The motion directs the City Manager to implement policies in the next two weeks to review all use of force and random body camera video in the City Manager’s Office. The motion also directs staff to return as part of the budget discussion with a position of public safety auditor that would be housed in either the City Attorney’s Office or the City Clerk’s Office. This position would begin the process of civilian oversight and help develop what a civilian commission would look like, with the intent for a measure to be placed on the 2022 ballot for voters to consider. This motion reflects action 7 of the seven actions listed in the Meeting’s Agenda (see link to Council Referral below).

The third motion approved the balance of the items listed in the Council Referral and passed with 4 yes votes and 1 no vote. The motion orders immediate training for all APD dispatchers on assessing and responding to 911 calls, including alternatives to dispatching police officers; directs staff to return to the City Council with a proposed revision to APD use of force policies, and establish protocols for requesting non-police response, backup, and/or interventions; orders immediate training for all APD officers on topics identified; and initiates a public education campaign to provide easily accessible alternatives to calling 911.

Read the Council Referral with seven actions for consideration by the City Council.

Watch the video from the May 8 Special City Council meeting.

Read more about the recommendations from police reform and racial equity committees.