HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse To Constituent Letter - Mail Packet - 7/14/2020 - Letter From Mayor Wade Troxell To Human Relations Commission Re: Equity And Inclusion And Police PoliciesMayor
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2154
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
July 7, 2020
Human Relations Commission
c/o Carol Thomas, HRC Liaison
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Commission Members,
Thank you for your thoughtful memorandum dated June 29, 2020 regarding equity and inclusion
as it relates to recent police brutality in our country against people of color. Thank you for
bringing this forward and for always having equity issues front and center to your mission. City
Council is committed to ensure a safe and equitable community for all.
The recently-formed Community Impact Ad Hoc committee is one example of this. Information
about this Council Ad Hoc committee is located at https://www.fcgov.com/council/ad-hoc-
community-impact-committee and I encourage you to track the group’s work which will likely
dive into the issues you are bringing forward, as well as others.
I have reviewed the “My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Mayoral Pledge” found at
(https://www.obama.org/mayor-pledge/) regarding policies and oversight, and I believe our
police services to be already very much in line with, and possible ahead of, the elements of the
pledge.
Below is a look at how FCPS existing policies and long-standing approach to training support
safety in Fort Collins. For more information about local police policies, processes, and
accountability measures, please visit www.fcgov.com/police/transparency.
Thank you again for your service, commitment and attention to all in our community. We know
that it takes everyone being a co-creator in Fort Collins to continue to make it the great place we
call home.
Sincerely,
Wade Troxell
Mayor
/sek
Cc: City Councilmembers
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
1
DATE: June 19
th
, 2020
TO: Mayor Wade Troxell and City Council Members
Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police Services
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
City Executive Leadership
FROM: The Human Relations Commission
RE: Thank You
Memo to the Mayor, City Council, Chief of Police, City Manager and City Executive Leadership
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) applauds your recent efforts to respond promptly and
publicly to tragic acts of police violence against black individuals in our country. Your
statements denouncing police brutality, especially against people of color, serve to promote a
community where all individuals feel valued, safe and included. Your leadership is powerful –
and greatly appreciated. Thank you.
The HRC’s mission is to promote acceptance, equity, inclusion and respect for diversity in our
community. Therefore, our work is clearly aligned and in support of the Mayor’s June 4th
communication to “proclaim the City’s commitment to institutionalizing equity, inclusion and
justice in the City of Fort Collins and encourage our community to work with us and each other
to improve racial equity in Fort Collins.” HRC members look forward to working with City
leaders as the commitments for equity translate into actionable plans that will decrease the
impact of systemic and institutional racism and advocate for racial equality.
In keeping with the tenets of the Proclamation, we encourage you to join mayors and city
councils across the United States in making a commitment to My Brother’s Keeper Alliance
Mayoral Pledge (https://www.obama.org/mayor-pledge/). This concrete action on your part will
underscore your support of “a police culture invested in trust and accountability,” and a police
department that continues to be “caring, professional, and responsive.” The HRC commends the
recent public statements of our current police chief decrying police brutality and committing to
creating an inclusive, safe community. The endorsement of the Mayoral Pledge will further
strengthen our police services’ commitment to equitable treatment of all community members
and will build greater confidence in public safety practices as we navigate this difficult time.
As HRC representatives and community leaders, we are committed to creating and maintaining
an inclusive, just and safe Fort Collins - for all. We look forward to working with you to build a
stronger Fort Collins.
Sincerely,
Human Relations Commission