Human Rights Commission

City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission Working Meeting Minutes August 12, 2020 Present: Jacob Powers, Chair Kristen Cooper, Secretary Jan Derry Ramsey Kinsella Jena Martin Meeting began at 6:30 and took place online due to pandemic restrictions. Jacob Powers read the most recent version of the RESOLUTION AFFIRMING AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY POLICING and displayed the document on the screen. Some wording changes were made to the 4th statement to read as follows: Whereas, the term “law enforcement” is often misrecognized as a form of policing which can affect the disposition and outlook of officers towards their work and can inhibit community partnerships and community safety, and Improvement number 12 was broken into two separate points as noted below:  Improve police personnel training by emphasizing best practice antiracism training, training focused on the unique needs of people with disabilities (such as those with sensory processing issues, those who communicate through alternative forms such as sign-language, physical disabilities requiring alternative restraint procedures, and those experiencing mental health crisis) and implicit bias orientation.  Stress the use of evidence-based preventive and de-escalation intervention skills as well as the establishment of a duty to intervene policy if they see another officer use excessive force. Other Improvements in the numbered list were reorganized, and there were some minor changes in wording within the list. Ramsey Kinsella moved to accept the Resolution with the changes and submit it to the City Council for consideration at their Committee of the Whole meeting in August. The motion was seconded by Jena Martin. The motion was passed unanimously. The work meeting ended at 7:15 pm. Submitted by Kristen Cooper 1