On the agenda: Richmond police oversight reforms, proclamations, contracts

The Richmond City Council is back from its summer vacation on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. The council will consider major reforms to the Community Police Review Commission, including expanded oversight powers and mandatory commissioner training. The meeting also features proclamations welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Boat and honoring longtime urban forestry advocate Stewart Winchester, along with a consent calendar packed with contracts, facility projects, and eight mayoral appointments to city commissions.

Police Review Commission seeks enhanced powers, mandatory training

Richmond’s Community Police Review Commission is pursuing significant reforms on two fronts: expanding oversight powers and implementing mandatory training for commissioners.

The commission is asking the council to send seven new oversight policies into labor negotiations with police unions. The proposals would extend the complaint filing period from 120 days to one year, lower the misconduct review standard from “clear and convincing” to “preponderance of evidence,” and broaden the commission’s authority to investigate all complaints against officers. Additional changes include allowing anonymous complaints with redacted names in public records, granting subpoena power for documents and evidence, requiring annual investigator reports, and posting non-confidential records online.

These measures would need negotiation with the Richmond Police Officers Association and Police Management Association before taking effect.

CPRC m andatory training program

The CPRC also wants to amend city code to require comprehensive training for all commissioners. After researching other oversight agencies, the commission unanimously voted in April 2025 to establish training standards aligned with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

The proposed requirements mandate that new commissioners receive essential training within six months of appointment, while current commissioners would participate in annual refresher training and specialized sessions as needed. Training topics would cover investigation standards and procedures, constitutional rights and civil liberties, Richmond Police Department policies on use of force and weapons, de-escalation tactics, evidence evaluation and due process, implicit bias recognition, and the Public Safety Officers Bill of Rights.

The training would cost approximately $15,000 annually until a permanent investigator is hired. Similar programs exist in Berkeley with a 40-hour requirement, Los Angeles County with comprehensive training within six months, and other California cities.

The last time we saw the Golden Rule was on a trailer on West Cutting Boulevard on October 1, 2023. Photo/Soren Hemmila

Proclamation welcoming the Golden Rule to Richmond

The council will present a proclamation welcoming the Golden Rule Peace Boat to Richmond on August 19, 2025, in recognition of its historic role in promoting nuclear disarmament and its continued mission to advance peace, environmental stewardship, and social justice.

Another proclamation commemorating the Service of Stewart Winchester on the Richmond Urban Forest Advisory Committee.

The Richmond City Council will consider numerous items on its consent calendar on Tuesday, including environmental consulting contracts, marina operations, and public safety agreements.

The council will ratify a lease allowing State Senator Jesse Arreguin to maintain his district office at 440 Civic Center Plaza for $508.95 monthly through 2029.

Council members will also consider an equity transfer of the city’s marina lease from Safe Harbors Marinas to BIP Poseidon Holdco L.P. which is part of Blackstone Infrastructure. Earlier this year, Blackstone Infrastructure purchased Safe Harbors for $5.65 billion.

The council is set to approve a $200,000 contract amendment with NV5 Environmental for consulting services at the Miraflores Property and a $229,607 sole-source contract with Remediation Risk Management for corporation yard environmental work required by state water quality regulators.

The police department is seeking approval for a three-year, $30,000 contract with Genasys for secure messaging services and a two-year, $650,000 agreement with the Richmond Police Activities League to continue youth tutoring and mentoring programs.

Public works items include accepting completion of the Terminal 4 Wharf demolition project and authorizing up to $30,000 for Mobile Vendor Plaza restroom construction.

City staff seeks council authorization to expedite restroom improvements at The Lot (Mobile Vendor Plaza)

The council will also consider a $650,000 contract with BKF Engineers for a Keller Beach sewer feasibility study and electrical services contracts totaling up to $750,000 annually with four companies.

Eight commission appointments

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez has eight commission appointments at Tuesday’s meeting, reappointing Xiomara Casias to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, Catelin Hibma to the Historic Preservation Commission, Vita Rey to the Design Review Board, and Abhijeet Babu Prasad to the Youth Council.

New appointments include Harlan Butt to the Recreation and Parks Commission, Crystal Barton to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board, Michael Warren to the Recreation and Parks Commission, and Abigail Yarng to the Youth Council.

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