Hi Jonathan,
The City Council does not typically review administrative polices of the police department, as we are not direct managers of the police department nor any other staff other than the City Manager. This is why I forwarded your feedback to the Chief. Also, it’s not possible to really engage in discussion and deliberation with you over email with all of us included as that would violate public meeting laws. I’m happy to give you a call to discuss more individually. I am moving Council to BCC to avoid further group emails at this point.
Some other clarifications:
Any new use of fixed ALPR will require a contract, that contract will come before Council at a public meeting at which public comment will be available, and discussion can be had at that time of whether Councilors want to support such a contract or not. Written comments from the public on items of general interest are received directly to us via email to Councilall@bendoregon.gov – unless it is a land use public hearing our staff typically do not compile comments for the agenda packet but we see them in our email.
On policy 428 – as is the case with many administrative or city policies that are governed by state law, it is not necessary to copy the exact, full language of the statute into our policy. The state law will always apply, even if our policy does not incorporate each and every word. Admin policies guide our departments and are operational documents – they do not replace or override state laws and statutes, which always apply.
Please let me know if you’d like to chat further and I can give you a call.
Thanks,
Melanie
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