CARLSBAD — Police reforms, Homeless Response Plan and other law enforcement topics were once again taken up by the Carlsbad City Council during its Sept. 1 meeting.
The item was brought forward by Councilwoman Cori Schumacher, who also included police de-escalation tactics and use-of-force policies. Schumacher recommended these issues be subjected to review through one of the council’s subcommittees along with staff time.
However, the council deadlocked 2-2, unable to move forward on those items after more than an hour of discussion and debate. Councilman Keith Blackburn said he wasn’t comfortable with starting with the committee and not including residents.
“We don’t have to get this done now,” Blackburn added. “If we had a police department in turmoil, then yes. I’m not sure we need to bring it to an ad hoc committee before we bring in our residents.”
Schumacher’s proposal included looking at the Homeless Response Plan, which is under the police department, and whether it was the right fit. Also, the proposal looked at the policy of a mayor or councilmember(s) serving as voluntary (no compensation) police officers, plus de-escalation and use-of-force.
Schumacher said she has no intention of defunding the Carlsbad Police Department, but to initiate deep reviews of the four policies. She said the CPD police union and North County chapter of the NAACP are receptive to the four reviews.
“I have no intention to defund our police,” she stated. “If we allow the political imaginary to run, that’s not the intention here. I want to rise to the moment and be that model we are and can be. I want to invite the police association and invite residents, like we did with the expressive activities ordinance.”
Cindy Millican, of the North County Civil Liberties Coalition, said some of her group’s concerns centered on CPD’s policy manual, saying CPD policies have been privatized from Lexipol, a private business. She said the state’s insurance pool does not recommend law enforcement, or other agencies such as fire departments, use Lexipol.
She also questioned the council about the Truth Act and how is the Brown Act being followed if a private company is writing policies without public input. CPD Chief Neil Gallucci said about 80% of law enforcement agencies in the state use Lexipol.
“How do we know these are best practices?” Millican asked the council. “How do the agencies know these are best practices? We’re concerned the city relies on a private company that answers to no one. You can’t have a healthy relationship between police and the public if the policies are private.”
Gallucci said the department is open to discussions with the public about those policies, along with a citizen’s review panel, which the council discussed during its Aug. 18 meeting.
Mayor Matt Hall said the gravity of reviewing the detailed policies should include a full, five-person council. The CPD gave a presentation during the Aug. 18 meeting regarding a number of these issues, which included use-of-force and police practices, but Hall remained cautious in moving forward with other policies.
“I’m willing to have a conversation and take as much time as possible … very methodically,” he said.
