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Commission asks DHR for timeline on use-of-force bargaining; community urges non-negotiation of key bans
Summary
DHR said meet-and-confer on the commissions use-of-force policy began July 19 and the parties have met multiple times; the POA raised nine issues including carotid restraint and shooting at moving vehicles. Commissioners pressed for completion in September; community groups urged the commission not to yield on bans.
The commission heard a detailed update from the Department of Human Resources on Sept. 7 about the bargaining process over the Police Commissions unanimously approved draft use-of-force policy.
Director Mickey Callahan said the city began meet-and-confer on July 19 and had held multiple bargaining sessions with the Police Officers Association. The department identified about nine discrete bargaining issues the union raised; the items most likely to prolong negotiations include the ban on carotid restraints and restrictions on shooting at moving vehicles. Callahan said the city is attempting to conclude the process in September but cautioned that impact-bargaining rights could mean some implementation steps require separate handling to avoid legal challenges.
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized urgency, citing public-safety risks they believe remain while the old policy is in effect and urged DHR to push the process forward. Some commissioners encouraged seeking partial implementation of uncontested policy sections if bargaining delays persist.
During public comment advocates from the ACLU, the Bar Association task force and community activists urged the commission not to turn key bans into bargaining chips and recommended immediate department bulletins that would make policy prohibitions clear to officers during the negotiation period.
DHR said it would continue to meet, pursue resolution of drafting questions and return with a report on progress; commissioners asked for a clear update by the end of September.
