June 5, 2023
San Rafael City Council
Mayor Kate Colin
Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati
Councilmember Eli Hill
Councilmember Maribeth Bushey
Councilmember Rachel Kertz
RE: Establishment of Police Advisory and Accountability Committee Dear Council Members and City Staff:
Community Action Marin supports the establishment of a Policy Advisory and Accountability Committee (PAAC) for the City of San Rafael. The relationship between our city’s law enforcement and community members is of utmost importance and worthy of increased levels of attention and investment to ensure equitable treatment for all in our community.
In creating the PAAC, we urge you to incorporate the perspectives and recommendations offered by community members as the PAAC is formed and begins its work. This is essential as a first step to demonstrate the City’s commitment to creating a strong partnership and being accountable to the community it serves.
We also encourage the City to create a mechanism for the PAAC to act independently in certain circumstances as has been recommended in community input. Public perception of the PAAC’s legitimacy and relevance in true partnership with the City is key to its ability to achieve stated goals.
We want to ensure that the City and PAAC members co-create goals and a work plan in partnership to guide their work toward the best possible outcomes.
We support several aspects of the proposed PAAC plan, including: having the PAAC report to the City Council and engaging a diverse membership that reflects the City with particular focus on those who have lived experience with law enforcement and/or reflect specific communities with lived experience. In addition, we strongly recommend that compensation be provided for PAAC members to recognize the value of time and expertise invested and to remove barriers to participation for those with relevant lived experience.
We thank you for your public service and commitment to addressing inequities present in the City with urgency. We urge your continued leadership in addressing complex challenges with openness, creativity, and dedication to a just and equitable City of San Rafael.
Sincerely,
Chandra Alexandre
CEO
Community Action Marin
Cc: Cristine Alilovich, Incoming City Manager