06-C SB1074 Compliance Funds - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET PROJECT: Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the Police Chief to make application for and certifying on behalf of the City Council and the Paris Police Department the need for funds and video and audio equipment to comply with the requirements of Senate Bill 1074 relating to the prevention of racial profiling. BACKGROUND: The Texas Legislature at its last session adopted Senate Bill 1074, which amended Chapter 2 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to add Articles 2.131 through 2.138, imposing requirements on law enforcement agencies to prevent racial profiling. The City of Paris Police Department is a law enforcement agency covered by the new statutory requirements. As a consequence, the Paris Police Department has worked with the Legal Department to adopt a comprehensive racial profiling policy which complies with the requirements of the state law, and at the same time incorporates pertinent provisions of model policies prepared by an adjunct agency of Sam Houston State University and the Texas Municipal League. The policy prepared by the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, an adjunct agency of Sam Houston State University, was utilized in part as a model because that agency was designated in Section 9 of Senate Bill 1074 to establish a program on racial profiling pursuant to the Texas Education Code. In addition to a requirement for the Police Department to adopt such a policy, the state statute also permits each law enforcement agency to implement a simplified and more efficient method of compiling and tracking records, provided (in the case of a municipality) the governing body of the municipality, in conjunction with the law enforcement agency, applies for funds and certifies to the Department of Public Safety that the law enforcement agency needs funds or video and audio equipment for the purpose of installing video and audio equipment as required by the act, and further certifying that the law enforcement agency does not receive from the state funds or video and audio equipment sufficient, as determined by the Police Department, for the department to accomplish the purposes under the act. DESCRIPTION: The proposed resolution would satisfy the statutory requirements for application for funding and video and audio equipment and certification by City Council and the Police Department as to the need for such funding and equipment to qualify the Paris Police Department for the simplified and more efficient reporting requirements, as well as making it possible for the City to obtain support to acquire the necessary equipment in allowing the Department to operate in compliance with the new law. COST: Adoption of the resolution will cost the City of Paris nothing; adoption of the resolution will enable the City to save money in implementing the new racial profiling policy, and at the same time make it possible for the City to receive support to acquire the necessary equipment and other support facilities to meet the requirements of the new state law. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider approval of the proposed resolution. STAFF CONTACT: Karl Louis, Police Chief; Stephanie H. Harris, Asst. City Attorney/Municipal Court Prosecutor; and Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney SCHEDULE: Consider for approval at City Council's December 10, 2001, regular Council meeting to meet the statutory requirement of applying for funds and certifying the need for such funds prior to January 1, 2002.