The Justice Department launched an investigation into the police department in September 2014, about a month after violent protests erupted in the streets of Ferguson following the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
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The city posted the proposed consent decree on its website and asked for residents’ input on the possible agreement.
The agreement also goes on to create guidelines that focus on reorienting “Ferguson’s use-of-force policies toward de-escalation and avoiding force” in a complete overhaul of the municipal system, as well as requiring police to utilize body-worn cameras, NPR reported.
An agreement between federal officials and leaders in Ferguson, Missouri, released Wednesday seeks to overhaul the city’s beleaguered justice system.
“The City Council will accept public comments in person on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. Those who have questions are urged to submit questions in writing in advance; priority will be given to responding to those questions submitted in writing in advance”.
The proposal also calls for police officers and court employees to be given annual training on “bias-free policing” to help them recognize unconscious stereotyping in their interactions and decisions. The cameras are to be activated for all traffic stops, arrests, searches and encounters with people believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Ferguson spokesman Jeff Small said the city has not calculated its total financial obligations but called them “significant”.
“I just want to listen to the citizens before I say I fully back this agreement”, said Mark Byrne, a Ferguson councilman.
Among the most serious findings in the Justice review was that in almost 90% of cases in which Ferguson documented the use of force, those actions were used against African Americans. “This is what you have to live with as a community'”.
Gupta also said in the letter that she hoped the city council would approve the agreement so that the department would not have to “resort to contested litigation”, which she said would divert resources and delay implementation of the police and court reform.
“This proposed agreement represents the best agreement that the city’s representatives were able to obtain for the citizens of Ferguson”.
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With the same 180-day time frame, police officers are expected to engage with community groups and members “who previously have not had strong or positive relationships” with the department.
