Redwood City Approves Committees On Social Justice, Policing

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Redwood City’s city council adopted resolutions approving both a sub-committee on equity and social justice as well as a police advisory committee during its meeting on Tuesday.

According to a staff report, the sub-committee — consisting of three council members — will help the city “apply an equity lens to its policies and delivery of services.” The police advisory committee will consist of 11 community members, with each council member appointing one and the other four chosen at-large by the council.

The committee’s tasks include reviewing policing policies that include use of force and body worn cameras, examining data regarding crime and policing interactions and receiving an annual report on personnel complaint processes. The advisory committee will work with the police chief and present its progress to the city council.

City staff cited similar models adopted in Hayward, Santa Clara, Turlock and Walnut Creek in developing the resolution for the policy advisory committee.

Redwood City Mayor Diane Howard called the committees a “positive step forward for our city.”

“This is going to be a difficult time for us,” Howard said during the meeting. “We’re being asked to examine our consciences and be vulnerable. This is new for all of us.”