Orinda considers wearing a body camera for the police, advocating better communication

The Olinda City Council once again learned from Olinda City Police Chief David Cook and city officials that George Floyd (George Floyd) was in the Minneapolis Police Detention Center. After his death in May, the city is reviewing its police policy, which has caused local and nationwide protests. The staff returned to the council with three main suggestions, namely: the city discusses the cost of the body camera program; the Olinda police chief must report to the city council every year; and, if there is any interaction with the Olinda police station If there is any concern, all members of the public should be encouraged to contact the police chief or city manager. Council member Nick Kosla requested that the annual report also include the use of drones.
Like Lafayette, Orinda signed a police service contract with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Currently, there are 14 police officers, including the chief and two sergeants-three police officers are ethnic minorities and there are currently no women. Cook explained that OPD police officers were recruited from the county sheriff's representative office. If there were no Olinda police officers, the city would still rely on the sheriff's office and nearby police stations to report. Jimmy Lee, director of the Office of Public Affairs of the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, said that the Lafayette and Moraga police stations have asked police officers to wear cameras, but the Sheriff’s Office has no such requirement.
During the public comment period of the meeting, when asked how the police department handles language issues, Cook explained that this is not a common phenomenon, but when necessary, police officers can use the contract translation service provided through dispatch. Another worrying issue involves the "5150" call-named from Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, which involves the detention of people who are deemed dangerous or severely disabled due to mental health issues. Cook explained that police officers did answer all 5,150 calls to protect everyone’s safety and help determine whether someone meets the detention standards set forth in Section 5150. Several speakers highlighted mental health issues, especially in light of the fatal police shooting at Miles Hall in Walnut Creek.
Cook told the council that he heard some anecdotal evidence about people of color being blocked by OPD and listened carefully to the opinions of Neil Pretlow and his wife, the advocate of "Black Life Issues." Cook said that during his ten months in office, he has not received any complaints, but he thinks it is important that people are free to come to him. He said: “Dialogue is very important for insights on sensitive topics. It is important to understand and promote dialogue.” However, if someone is unwilling to talk to the police chief, he suggests that they talk to Olinda Mayor Steve Solomon, or even fight Call the office of the Sheriff Quantela Costa. Members of the City Council also suggested that any member of the City Council should also conduct such dialogues publicly.
Solomon said: "People need to feel that they can file a complaint." "Many people of color say they have been treated inappropriately. They should call the police chief or me at any time, and they can even call anonymously. I did receive some Complaints, but since I have not received race complaints. Have you been here? Do people in Orinda complain? Absolutely. I have received complaints about traffic tickets, etc., and we will deal with these complaints."

When asked if the police would respond to someone reporting another person as suspicious because of a person of color, Cook replied that he had talked to the staff and wanted the supervisor to contact the caller to find out what they think Who is that person. suspicious. He said that if the only reason is people of color, the police will not respond.
When asked if unarmed civilians can answer some calls, Cook said that now the department cannot afford the cost of civilian employees, and civilians cannot handle traffic stations, noting that “vehicle regulations entrust traffic stations to the police. Traffic stations It is considered very dangerous and suitable for police use."
Salomon pointed out that police services spend about 40% of the city’s budget, including insurance, legal aid, etc. The mayor Darlene Gee added that funding for police is the largest item in the city’s budget. .
During the Zoom meeting, a public speaker suggested that the chief release photos and biographical information, including the race and ethnicity of all officers, and allow these officers to participate in public events.
Several public speakers believed that there should be a mechanism for citizens to supervise the police. Joel Schaffer, a 25-year-old resident of Orinda and the son of the Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco, asked why there are no citizens participating in the function of the community review committee to ensure that the community not only receives information from the city council , So there is no function. William Hudson agreed that what he was missing was a feedback group independent of the police force to address "some of our concerns; we want to make sure we are a enthusiastic and fair community," he said .
The review of police policy will return to the city council in September or October.