Residents are invited to join Mayor Ralph Becker, Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank and a panel of experts and community stakeholders for the first of a series of community dialogues on use of force issues on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 6-8 p.m. in the Tessman Auditorium of the Salt Lake City Library Main Branch, 210 E. 400 South.
Salt Lake City first announced the dialogue series several weeks ago on Open City Hall, an online forum where residents can share their thoughts and opinions on specified topics with City officials. To view the discussion on use of force on Open City Hall, please click here.
Salt Lake City government officials recognize that there is a concern in the community about officer-involved shootings and other use of force issues. The dialogue series will convene interested community members, policy makers and subject matter experts for meaningful discussion of the issues associated with force, and in particular, officer-involved shootings. The dialogue series will be a constructive way to promote conversation among interested stakeholders to assess perceived needs, problems, and hopes for the future for Salt Lake City on this challenging issue.
Details for the dialogues are outlined below. All forums are free and open to the public. For additional questions please contact Mayor's Office of Diversity & Human Rights Coordinator Yolanda Francisco-Nez at 801-535-7734 or [email protected].
Fair and Equal Treatment Forum
February 25
6-8 p.m.
Salt Lake City Library Main Branch
Tessman Auditorium, First Floor
210 E. 400 South
Introduction: Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker
Moderator: Professor of Criminal Justice at Weber State University Dr. Robert C. Wadman
Panelists: Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Executive Director Karen McCreary, Salt Lake City Civilian Review Board Investigator Rick Rasmussen, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Utah) Executive Director Jamie Justice.
Dialogue #2
Topic: Police Training Curriculum
March 4
6-8 p.m.
Sweet Library, 455 F Street
Dialogue #3
Topic: Know Your Rights
March 18
6-8 p.m.
Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 South 900 West
