By Jay Phillips
A task force will provide policy and training recommendations to Clarkston Police Department after Clarkston councilmembers approved a resolution March 2 to create a Police Community Task Force.
According to the approved resolution, the purpose of the Police Community Task Force is to inform councilmembers about the status of police and community relations within Clarkston and to study and make recommendations related to police operations such as training, transparency, and oversight.
After her swearing-in ceremony, Mayor Beverly Burks said creating a task force to make recommendations on policing—with a goal of the city’s police engaging more with the community—was one of her top priorities.
“I was on DeKalb County police department’s mental health committee. I’ve been doing that kind of work for a while,” said Burks. “Looking at ways our police department can engage more with the community is important to me, whether that’s training or additional resources.”
The resolution states that creating a task force to study and present recommendations to city staff on matters related to the operation of the Clarkston Police Department and its personnel would be beneficial in addressing community and police relations. It also indicates that the initial term of membership on the task force will be one year from the date of formal appointment of the Police Community Task Force membership, but councilmembers may extend the term of the by resolution.
The task force will have between nine and 15 voting members serving terms of two years or until the task force disbands, according to the resolution.
Clarkston officials said they want to include members from the following groups in the task force:
• DeKalb County Chapter of the NAACP
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
• Clarkston Community of Faith
• DeKalb County Public Schools and Clarkston School District
• Mental health organization
• Domestic violence organization
• Criminal justice reform organization
• Nonprofit that works with teens
• Multicultural organization
• Individuals with direct experience in the criminal justice system.
• A lawyer with prosecutorial experience
• A lawyer with current or recent criminal defense experience
• Individuals with diversity and inclusion experience
• Individuals who work with or volunteer with community service providers that traditionally
work with individuals involved in the criminal justice system
• Individuals of diverse backgrounds and varying ages
A resolution confirming the appointment of task force members and its chairperson will be presented at Clarkston’s April 27 regular city council meeting, according to the resolution.
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