EXECUTIVE ORDER
00-3
April 6, 2000
Rhode Island
Select Commission on
Race and
Police-Community Relations
WHEREAS, Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr., a respected African American
Providence police officer, died violently and tragically when shot by fellow
Providence Police officers; and
WHEREAS, the death of Sergeant Young, Jr. has brought to
the forefront long-simmering and very serious problems within our communities
regarding racial strife and the tenuous relationship between Rhode Island citizens
of color and local and state law enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, the death of Sergeant Young, Jr. and other issues
related to this tragedy have caused a crisis of confidence, raising serious
questions about unfair treatment of certain groups of individuals, oppression
and the combination of growing fear and anger within our communities; and
WHEREAS, the State of Rhode Island values and cherishes the
rich cultural diversity of all Rhode Islanders and is committed to providing
all people in the State equal and full protection and respectful treatment;
and
Executive Order 00-3
April 6, 2000
Page Two
WHEREAS, State government leaders are concerned that racial
problems, if unattended, will affect the future of Rhode Island, negatively
impacting its quality of life and tainting and eventually destroying all that
this State stands for; and
WHEREAS, State government leaders understand that racial
injustice is a problem for all Rhode Islanders, and acknowledge the necessity
of improving police-community relations; and
WHEREAS, the Governor, the Attorney General, the Speaker of
the House, the Senate Majority Leader and community leaders have met in the
aftermath of the tragic death of Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, State government leaders have participated in and
encouraged open dialogue and the development of a working partnership with
community members to plan solutions for meeting the challenges of racial
issues; and
WHEREAS, the State of Rhode Island has responded to the
call from citizens for an independent commission to examine issues arising from
the shooting death of Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr., related racial problems and
police - community relations; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lincoln Almond, by virtue of the
authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island do hereby order
as follows:
1.
The Rhode Island Select Commission on Race and
Police-Community Relations is hereby established. The Commission is charged with conducting an
inquiry into the causes of racial problems, concerns, and issues related to
police-community relations.
2.
The Commission shall consist of fifteen (15)
members. The
Governor shall appoint thirteen (13) members and two (2) members shall be
appointed by the General Assembly. The
Governor shall appoint the chair of the Commission. The
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April 6, 2000
Page Three
composition of the Commission shall be: one (1) member as
chair; five (5) members of the interfaith/civic community; four (4) members of
the law enforcement community; three (3) members at-large; one (1) member from
the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one (1)
member from the Senate appointed by the Senate Majority Leader
3. The Commission shall:
a) independently review the
issues surfacing
from the shooting death of Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr.; including but
not limited to impacts of investigations into that tragedy;
b) analyze police-community relations in Rhode
Island, and make specific recommendations for their improvement;
c) study and recommend changes needed to
statutes, ordinances, institutional policies, procedures and practices deemed
necessary to:
i) improve law enforcement work and
accountability;
ii)
reduce racism;
iii)
enhance the administration of justice;
iv)
affect reconciliation between diverse segments of the statewide
community.
4.
The Commission shall have the authority to hold
hearings as necessary to request and review any public
information the Commission deems necessary for its work, including the review
of any public information, documents and testimony related to the investigation
of the death of Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr.
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April 6, 2000
Page Four
5.
All Rhode Island state departments shall
provide all necessary and appropriate
assistance and cooperation to the Commission
as it endeavors to complete its mission.
6.
Parties outside of Rhode Island state government
are strongly
encouraged to provide the Commission
with necessary and
appropriate assistance and
cooperation that
will allow the Commission to
complete its work.
7.
In the event the Commission believes its work to be delayed or hampered
by lack of cooperation and assistance by entities deemed important and
necessary, the Commission shall be authorized to request legal subpoena powers
from the General Assembly, affording the Commission authority to call any
witness deemed necessary.
8. The responsibilities of the Commission shall
include, but not be limited to reviewing and recommending
changes that significantly improve current police policies, procedures and
practices related to:
a) recruitment, hiring and training of police
officers;
b) the level and
quality of diversity training,
sensitivity
awareness and cultural competency;
c)
the level and quality of efforts related to building and improving
overall community relations;
d)
the use of firearms by on-duty
and off-duty police
officers;
e) the use of excessive
force;
f) the use of racial
profiling; and
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April 6, 2000
Page Five
g)
legislation reforming police policies, procedures or community
relations.
9.
Within 30-days of member appointments, the
Commission will produce and submit a detailed budget
request to the Rhode Island General Assembly; and
10.
The Commission shall have the authority to
contract for
services, conduct surveys, studies
and analyses
consistent with its mission and
budget, as approved
by the Rhode Island General
Assembly. Subcommittees of the Commission may be
appointed by the
Commission as necessary to carry
out its mission.
11.
The Commission shall issue findings and
recommendations and
make a final report to the
Governor, the Senate
Majority Leader, the Speaker
of the House, and other public officials and agencies
deemed appropriate. The Commission, at
its discretion, may also issue any interim reports deemed necessary.
Further, the Commission shall have the authority to
determine and recommend procedures necessary to track implementation of its
recommendations.
12.
The Commission’s final report shall be submitted
to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than May
1, 2001 and the Commission’s work shall conclude with submission of its report.
So Ordered:
___________________
Lincoln Almond
Dated:_____________