LIVE @ Human Relations Commission of Asheville (HRCA) 08/15/19

Human Relations Commission Meeting Recap: Addressing Police Interactions and Community Concerns

On August 15, 2019, the Asheville Human Relations Commission (HRCA) held a meeting focused on improving community relations with law enforcement and addressing concerns about equitable policing practices. The meeting, attended by the newly appointed City Manager Deborah Campbell and Police Chief Chris Bailey, provided a platform for robust discussion and valuable community input.

Key Discussions & Decisions: A significant portion of the meeting centered on a draft "Written Consent" policy for traffic stops, developed in response to concerns raised by the NAACP and other community members regarding disproportionate stops and searches of African Americans. Chief Bailey explained that, once implemented, this policy will require officers to obtain written consent before conducting searches of vehicles. While no formal vote was taken, the discussion strongly indicated support for moving forward with this policy. The minutes from the previous July meeting were approved without objection, marking a procedural start to the session.

Community Voices & NAACP Presentation: The meeting featured extensive public comment, with residents sharing personal experiences and raising critical questions about the effectiveness of written consent in addressing broader issues of racial disparities. Many expressed concerns that the policy might inadvertently reduce interactions between police and community members, while others advocated for expanding consent requirements to include pedestrian stops. Dee Williams, representing the NAACP, presented a detailed report outlining their involvement in crafting the policy and emphasized the need for ongoing community participation in future policy development. A recurring theme throughout public comment was a desire for a more holistic approach to community safety, addressing underlying social and economic factors alongside law enforcement strategies.

Looking Ahead: Action Items & Next Steps: Following the discussions, several key action items were identified. Chief Bailey will finalize the Written Consent policy, incorporating feedback received from officers and community members. Crucially, training on this new policy will be implemented, with a consideration for including community participation in the training process. The City Manager and Chief Bailey will also explore options for establishing a diversity and inclusion department within the police force to address implicit bias, a topic that generated considerable discussion. Finally, discussions will continue regarding the possibility of extending written consent requirements to pedestrian interactions, and exploring options for a community engagement center offering support services.

Why This Matters to You: The discussions and commitments made during this HRCA meeting represent a significant step towards building trust and fostering positive relationships between the Asheville Police Department and our community. The focus on written consent, coupled with ongoing dialogue about broader systemic issues like implicit bias and homelessness, demonstrates a commitment to creating a more equitable and just system for all residents. The emphasis on community involvement in policy development and training underscores the importance of citizen voices in shaping our city's future. Residents can expect to see further developments on these issues as the City Manager and Police Chief work to implement these commitments.

This recap aims to provide a clear understanding of the key outcomes from this important meeting and their potential impact on our community.