[Archived] Alexandria City Council Seeks Community Input on Community Policing Review Board

­­For Immediate Release: February 23, 2021

The City of Alexandria is seeking feedback from community members on Community Policing Review Board options, scheduled to be considered by City Council on March 9. Public meetings to present the options and provide facilitated discussion are scheduled for Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m., and Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Beginning March 1, a recorded multilingual presentation will be posted on the City’s website with an opportunity to provide comments on the format proposed in the ordinance, and other summarized format options. Feedback received before March 9 will be provided to City Council for consideration. 

The proposal stems from City Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 2950 on June 9, 2020, which condemned police brutality and systemic racism; reaffirmed that Black Lives Matter; and stated Council’s intent to establish a community policing review board. The resolution also affirmed that the City of Alexandria and all government officials have a duty to ensure the protection of all communities through actions and reform, including in the justice system.

Recently adopted Virginia legislation states that a law enforcement civilian body may receive, investigate and issue findings on complaints from civilians regarding conduct of law-enforcement officers and civilian employees of a law enforcement agency serving under said local authority. The legislation also recognizes that there are many successful models of community policing review boards and there is no single model that will fit the needs of every community. The City has the ability and responsibility to tailor the components of its system to the particular needs and characteristics of the Alexandria community, and intends to use community feedback through engagement opportunities to help shape its Community Policing Review Board. An ordinance will be subject to public hearing and consideration of approval as early as March 13.

Visit the City’s Community Policing Review Board page for more information and resources. Access the multilingual presentation, format options, proposed ordinance and feedback form starting March 1.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact dana.wedeles@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5494, Virginia Relay 711.