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Richmond council adopts new officer-involved-shooting communications policy, launches mental-health services assessment
Summary
The Richmond City Council unanimously adopted revisions to police policies requiring earlier public updates after officer-involved shootings and aligning body‑worn camera release timelines with state law, and directed staff to issue an RFP for a citywide mental‑health services assessment to identify gaps and recommend services.
The Richmond City Council on Nov. 18 unanimously adopted revisions to Richmond Police Department policies that set stricter timelines and content for public communications after officer‑involved shootings and clarified standards for releasing critical‑incident audio and video.
The changes require an initial press release within 24 hours, monthly status updates, and that body‑worn camera footage be released with minimal redactions “only those that are allowable by state law,” aligning the policy with California Government Code provisions and Assembly Bill 748, city staff said.
Assistant Chief Tim Simmons, who led the staff presentation, said the amendments are intended to “emphasize transparency, accountability,” and to identify which investigative agencies are involved and how the Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) participates in investigations.
Council members also directed staff to move forward with a request for proposals to conduct a mental‑health services assessment in Richmond. Deputy City Manager Lashonda White described a scope that will inventory public, private, nonprofit and county behavioral‑health resources, analyze geographic and access gaps, and recommend ways the city can commit resources. The RFP is planned for release in late December or January, with six months allotted for the consultant to deliver final recommendations after contract execution.
Several public speakers and council members urged a faster timeline so findings could inform the next budget cycle; Council Member Claudia Jimenez asked staff to prioritize delivering usable information in time for fiscal planning. City staff said the proposed timeline is compressed but noted further stages will be required for service procurement and implementation.
The council approved the policy amendments and to receive the staff update on the mental‑health assessment by roll call vote; all seven members present voted yes.
What happens next: staff will finalize the revised RPD policies and begin the RFP process for a mental‑health assessment. The council signaled interest in using the assessment to inform budget discussions and capacity‑building steps.
