Racial Justice in Vancouver

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking vendors to implement a state-of-the-art police camera program—including body-worn, in-car and on-dash cameras.

The city is seeking proposals from vendors with proven long-term quality and high levels of experience and effectiveness in the criminal justice/police industry, including the ability to provide:

• Cameras and associated equipment

• Data storage

• Implementation of the program

• Training for officers

• Ongoing maintenance and support

“We look forward to the implementation of a department camera system to increase transparency and safety for both officers and the public we serve. This process will allow us to purchase a system that adheres to the highest standards and quality to meet our needs and the needs of the community,” said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain.

Proposals can be completed online or delivered by UPS, FedEX or the U.S. Postal Service no later than 3 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. The full RFP and submission details are available at https://vancouver.procureware.com/Bids.

The RFP process is an essential piece of a multi-step process to launch the VPD’s camera program by spring 2022. The Vancouver City Council approved $3 million in the 2021-22 biennial budget to fund the program. Once a vendor has been selected, the department will then hire staff to manage the program, test the cameras, train the police force, and install cameras in police vehicles.

"We have been working with the community task force to establish a police camera program as a measure of accountability, transparency and trust,” said Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes. “This step of issuing an RFP to identify quality vendors who can implement the program successfully moves us closer to fulfilling that commitment.”

The city’s Community Task Force on Policing, formed in the summer of 2020, is tasked with reviewing, and advising the city on establishing the camera program. The task force is also charged with reviewing and assuring accountability during the implementation of the recommendations in the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) use of force report. The task force represents the community’s voice in discussions and issues related to use of force, training, and data collection policies.

The community is invited to follow the progress of the task force, including updates on the police camera program implementation, and share ideas at Vancouver Community Task Force on Policing | Be Heard Vancouver .

The Vancouver Police Department, in partnership with the city’s Community Task Force on Policing, has thus far implemented 31of 84 recommendations outlined in a use of force report completed by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in June 2020.

The initial review process began in June 2019, when the city commissioned PERF, a nonprofit police research and policy organization, to assess the police department’s policies, training, documentation, and data on use of force.

“The Vancouver Police Department is committed to continuing to make policy and culture changes in an effort to improve equity, accountability, transparency, promote higher standards, and increase public trust and confidence between our department and the public we serve,” said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain.

Key police department changes implemented to date include:

• Five key policy updates, including enhancing standards for use of canines and adding language requiring officers to carry a flashlight other than the one mounted on their firearm.
• Two new bias and cultural awareness department trainings and the expansion of existing training curriculum, including the roll out of PERF’s recommended Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training guide and associated training materials, to better equip officers for de-escalation in the field.
• Expanded data collection efforts and transparency with the implementation of a new records management system to track police response and incident details related to use of force.

The Community Task Force on Policing, a group of community members, city council members, police staff and the city manager, has been charged with ensuring accountability and transparency as the city implements the recommendations. The task force, which meets monthly, is also charged with overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive police camera program, projected to be implemented in spring 2022.

“The task force has been highly engaged in helping move forward the implementation of key changes in policing practices,” said Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes. “We are grateful for their partnership as we work together in building a better system for our community.”

The task force continues to work alongside the city to address the remaining recommendations outlined in the use of force report, with work anticipated to be completed by fall 2021. VPD will continue to address opportunities for improvement following implementation of the PERF recommendations.

The community is invited to view the full use of force report and ongoing updates, and share ideas at https://www.beheardvancouver.org/taskforceonpolicing.

The full PERF report, use of force data, the Vancouver Police Department policy manual and regular updates regarding this project and other public safety initiatives are available online:

• PERF use of force report: www.cityofvancouver.us/PERFReport
• Use of force data dashboard: www.cityofvancouver.us/UseofForceData
• Police camera study: www.cityofvancouver.us/VPDCameraStudy
• Police Department policies: www.cityofvancouver.us/PolicePolicies
• FAQs on police and other city-related topics: www.cityofvancouver.us/FAQs

"While today's verdict in the George Floyd murder trial brought legal justice to his family, bringing social justice to the Black communities across our nation will require continued acknowledgement of systemic racism, further work in policing reforms and establishing equity in our schools, workplaces and communities.

The verdict may signal that our nation has turned a corner, but it is only a symbolic one. True change can only come with sustained efforts to transform our communities as safe places for all residents of all races. The City of Vancouver stands in support of our Black community members and BIPOC communities across the nation. Our roadmap is clear, and it is focused on equity, inclusion, safety and prosperity for all."

This afternoon, the jury in the trial against ex-police officer Derek Chauvin found him guilty on all charges related to the death of George Floyd. As the jury concluded, the actions that occurred during this incident were clearly outside the law, and absolutely did not reflect in any way the oath police officers take to serve and protect their communities.

As the Chief of Police, I want to assure you the Vancouver Police Department remains steadfast in our duty to honorably serve the citizens of Vancouver with compassion, fairness, equity, dignity, professionalism, and accountability.

Specifically, over the past 10 months, we have been working with the Vancouver Community Task Force on Policing to implement changes in our use-of-force policies, practices, training, and data collection, with the goal to better serve the public safety needs of our community in a way that proactively ensures just and equitable policing in our city, particularly for communities who have historically been marginalized. As the Chief of Police, I am committed to improving equity, accountability, transparency, and increasing public trust and confidence between the Vancouver Police Department and the community members we serve.

The death of George Floyd, at the hands of a police officer, highlighted the reason why marginalized communities callout the historical racial inequities so many in our nation have faced and sparked emotions that have been long suppressed. In Vancouver, and across the nation, people have been coming together to have their voices heard. The Vancouver Police Department fully supports people lawfully expressing their First Amendment rights but do not condone violence or criminal activity as part of any of these gatherings. Criminal activities and violence only further fracture relationships in our community at a time when healing is needed.

Only through communities peacefully coming together, and working together, can we achieve the change and solutions that will bring about a future we all desire.

Downloadable file: AYV_2.0_Announcements.png

Back in August of 2020 the Police Activities League of SW Washington (PAL) began a collaboration with Clark County Latino Youth Leadership (CCLYL), The Underdog Mentality (TUM), and the Boys & Girls Clubs of SW Washington (BGSW) to provide a platform for our young people to share their stories and ask questions around the current climate. With the generous support of the Community Foundation of SW Washington, Amplify Youth Voices (AYV) was born. It began as a four-part conversation series between 10-12 young people and two local law enforcement professionals. Those conversation were filmed and we've been sharing those chats via PAL's YouTube channel.

The young people who participated in the first sessions though wanted to see them continue and thus AYV 2.0 was born! AYV 2.0 is completely led by a group of five local young leaders and this Friday, April 23rd is their next panel conversation. These young leaders are going to ask law enforcement and first responders questions about the current climate, how we can create change, and what we as a community are currently doing to create the change we need.

We (PAL, CCLYL, TUM, & BGCSW) invite you to tune in and listen in on the conversation. We will be live streaming the panel on the PAL of SW WA - YouTube page starting at 6pm on Friday, April 23rd. We will have ASL interpretation occurring in real time and then we will be adding captions in Spanish after the session.

We hope you to see you Friday and a huge thanks again to the Community Foundation of SW Washington for making this project possible.

Feel free to email Jenny at jenny.thompson@cityofvancouver.us to learn more the Amplifying Youth Voice project or visit their website at palofswwa.org/the-power-of-youth-voice/

Learn more about PAL by visiting https://palofswwa.org

Press Release Date:

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is moving forward with next steps toward implementing a comprehensive police camera program in spring of 2022, which is planned to include body-worn, dash and in-car cameras.

VPD is working on developing a request for proposals (RFP) to identify vendors that can provide equipment, training, and other needed features to support establishing the camera program. The city is also engaging with the Community Task Force on Policing, as well as organized labor groups on the crafting of department policy regarding a camera program.

The process of establishing a camera program for VPD requires multiple steps. The Vancouver City Council adopted budget capacity in the 2021-22 biennial budget to fund a program, and the city has engaged the task force regarding the approach to establishing a camera program. Reaching agreement with labor unions and selecting a vendor to supply the camera systems are early steps. Hiring staff to manage the program, testing the cameras, training the police force, and installing cameras in police vehicles will all be part of the plan to launch a comprehensive and fully operational camera program.

“A camera program for the Vancouver Police Department is an important step to enhance the safety of, and improve interactions between, police officers and the public and increase protection of evidence during criminal investigations,” said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain. “My hope is that these tools will not only assist in strengthening relationships between police and the community but will also help make Vancouver a safer community for all.”

The city’s Community Task Force on Policing, which was formed in summer of 2020, is tasked with reviewing and assuring accountability during the implementation of the 84 recommendations in the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) use of force report – in addition to reviewing and advising the city on establishing a police camera program, which was already under consideration by VPD. The task force represents the community’s voice in discussions and issues related to use of force, training, and data collection policies.

"We are committed to serving the public safety needs of our community with transparency and accountability in this effort," said Eric Holmes, city manager of City of Vancouver. "Chief McElvain and I are committed to establishing a successful police camera program for VPD as part of our ongoing commitment to build confidence and trust with Vancouver residents."

The City will continue to report on the progress of implementing the police camera program. For more information, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/VPDCameraStudy.

“I want to acknowledge the pain being felt throughout our community and our nation. Last week our country experienced another tragedy when a gunman in Georgia killed eight people in the Atlanta area. This horrific event is being widely recognized as a hate crime against Asian Americans. We share in the sorrow and anger of the friends, families and communities of the victims of this senseless violence, including our Asian American and Pacific Islander employees and members of the wider Vancouver community. These events are sad and tragic evidence of the importance of our responsibility as leaders to denounce hate wherever it arises and to stand resolute in our commitment to advance equity as we become a more inclusive and just Vancouver. Each of us shares in making our community a safe place for all. I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses an act of hate to please report the incident.” -Mayor, Anne McEnerny-Ogle

The Vancouver City Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce another equity-based change to its prosecution practices aimed at assisting those suffering from substance abuse disorders.

The City Attorney’s Office has long been a participant in the Clark County Substance Abuse Court. This program provides intensive supervision to individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses who have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. However, historically, participation in the program has required individuals first plead guilty to the underlying charged offense.

With the new equity-based changed, the Substance Abuse Court has transitioned to a pre-plea model. In qualifying cases, individuals who successfully complete the year-long treatment program can have their misdemeanor cases dismissed without having to plead guilty to a criminal offense. Participants will be able to avoid the barriers that a criminal conviction can pose for individuals seeking housing, employment and other opportunities for advancement.

This is the second equity-based change in prosecution practices announced recently by the City Attorney’s Office. The first is a pilot project changing the way the city prosecutes the crime of driving while license suspended in the third degree (learn more).

Press Release Date:

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Beginning January 2021, the Vancouver City Attorney’s Office will make equity-based changes to the way it prosecutes the crime of driving while license suspended in the third degree (DWS-III) as part of a year-long pilot program.

DWS-III charges often arise due to a driver’s failure to pay fines from a traffic ticket. Trends increasingly suggest DWS-III charges cause disproportionate impacts to Black, Indigenous and people of color within the community, as well as those who are of low or moderate financial means.

“The Vancouver City Attorney’s Office is committed to advancing our understanding of who is, and is not, benefitting from the institutions our society has created,” said City Attorney Jonathan Young, “Where possible, we seek opportunities to lawfully balance and repair inequities that exist in our systems.”

The 2021 DWS-III pilot program will bring two important changes to the City Attorney’s Office’s prosecution practices:

• Individuals charged with DWS-III who meet certain requirements will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-citation diversion program designed to educate and empower unlicensed drivers to get their license back. If completed, no charges will be filed.
• Where appropriate, prosecution standards for those who do not choose to participate in the pre-citation diversion program will call for the use of civil tickets, rather than criminal, charges.

These changes are particularly significant as DWS-III cases account for a quarter of all criminal cases filed by the city.

After one year, the City Attorney’s Office will review the results of the pilot program and decide if further changes are needed or if the changes will be made permanent.

For more information on this change, read a more detailed fact sheet.

The City’s commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues.

Two important components of the City’s work to address racial justice are currently in progress:

A Request for Proposals for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Training for all City employees, City Council and Boards/Commission was sent out this fall and the City anticipates beginning DEI training with the final selected firm by the end of 2020.

Hiring of the City’s FIRST Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager is underway. This new position will champion and coordinate internal and external efforts to promote social equity and justice causes. The City anticipates filling this role by January 2021.

On Monday, Nov. 16,City Council approved the City’s 2021-22 budget, which will allocate $1.5 million per year to support the Community Task Force on Policing in implementing its work on the Use of Force Study’s recommendations and a body-worn camera program in the Vancouver Police Department. To learn more about the Community Task Force on Policing please visit: https://www.beheardvancouver.org/vancouver-community-task-force-on-policing