City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: December 13, 2022
Agenda Item: 5.R
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Douglas Sloan, City Attorney, City Attorney's Office Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Extending Training Deadline for the Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution requiring completion of training by the Public Safety Reform Oversight Commission members.
Summary
On September 20, 2022, the Santa Monica Police Officers Association (“SMPOA”) notified the City of its intent to file litigation seeking the removal of three members of the Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission (“Commission”) due to their failure to attend portions of required trainings.
The proposed Resolution would rectify this situation by ensuring that all commissioners will complete the training requirements with a minimum amount of further delay. The Resolution provides:
• commissioners will have a final opportunity to complete any required training by February 1, 2023, and if any commissioner has failed to do so, the City Council intends to suspend or remove that member from the Commission;
• that the City Council directs the City Manager to facilitate and provide any commissioner with a reasonable opportunity to complete the required trainings before this deadline; and
• if any commissioner requires a training modification due to any health-related reason, the Santa Monica Police Department (“SMPD”) and the commissioner shall cooperate 2 of 3
with the City Manager regarding any such modification that does not unduly interfere with the training.
Discussion
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 2.50.020(f) provides that the Commission’s members must fulfill certain training requirements by May 31, 2022:
Within six months of appointment, each commissioner shall participate in training relevant to providing oversight of law enforcement and to the understanding of racial justice. Such training shall include participation in the SMPD Community Academy; a training session of two hours or less presented by the SMPOA that will address topics including the rights of police officers under the Police Officers Bill of Rights; and reasonable additional required training as identified by the Commission, which may include programs offered by the National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, the Association of Local Government Auditors, entities with experience providing racial justice training, or other similar bodies.
The Commissioners initially appointed to the Commission shall have until May 31, 2022, to complete the required training. Failure to complete required training will result in removal from the Commission.
As of May 31, 2022, the majority of the commissioners completed these training requirements. Most of the remaining commissioners have substantially completed training requirements and were unavailable for a few training sessions due to extenuating circumstances. The attached resolution will provide adequate time for certain commissioners to complete their training.
Environmental Review
The contemplated action is not a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act.
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Financial Impacts
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
Prepared By: Douglas Sloan, City Attorney
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Proposed PSROC Training Resolution