Cal DOJ “Listening Session” About the Vallejo Police Department Will take Place On Nov 1

1. Over the past few years VPD officers have been involved in several high-profile uses of force, including a number of officer involved shootings. While the investigations of these matters are ongoing, the number and nature of the incidents has raised the concerns of the community and the Attorney General of the State of California.

2. In 2019, the City retained policing expert OIR Group to conduct an assessment of VPD, to analyze its policies and practices and to make recommendations addressed directly to VPD, on whether improvements are required.

3. Cal DOJ, the City, and VPD have agreed to collaborate on a comprehensive modernized policing plan that includes a review of the recommendations made by VPD’s expert consultants but that also includes additional assistance and review from Cal DOJ. Toward this end, Cal DOJ has retained a policing expert to assist in Cal DOJ’s review of the recommendations presented by VPD’s experts, expand upon and add any additional recommendations addressed directly to VPD that are needed to modernize the Department’s current policies and practices, assist with implementation of the recommendations, and evaluate VPD’s compliance with the recommendations.

4. The overall goal of this collaborative effort is to increase public trust and support effective, contemporary, and innovative policing practices through improvements in training, policy, transparency, professionalism and accountability, in alignment with national standards, best practices, current and emerging research, and community expectations.

5. The City and VPD are deeply committed to updating their policies and practices and implementing the recommendations that will be developed by the retained experts for VPD. The City and VPD are equally committed to working with Cal DOJ to repair community trust.