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The Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) leads the City of Somerville’s equity efforts and collaborates with city departments, constituents, and stakeholders to eliminate the institutional and structural systems that create racial inequities, social disparities, and injustices.  This webpage, in collaboration with the Somerville Police Department (SPD), intends to put forth a framework of specific community-driven goals and measurable action steps to support critical progressive policing policies and strengthen public safety efforts both internally and across the City.

View the Presentation

View the Report and the Presentation 

For more information about the findings and to view the report, visit somervillema.gov/spd-updates. To learn more about the Public Safety for All initiative, visit somervillema.gov/psfa.  

Raftelis Consultants will present their Analysis in City Hall Chambers on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 7 p.m. Community members and constituents are invited to attend the presentation in person at 93 Highland Avenue or watch online or on the City's GovTV cable channels. 

Online Meeting & Streaming Details 

Join the meeting online via https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-EJnJGcZQGeVbDvS4BDw_w. Watch later on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Videos are posted online within approximately two business days after recording. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

Interpretation into your language is available for all meetings upon advance request by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311 at 617-666-3311. Interpretation availability is also being advertised in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, Nepali, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
 

Staffing and Operations Analysis Final Report

 

Somerville Police Department Racial & Social Justice Goals

  1. Review past and present procedural justice protocols and principles to align with 21st Century Policing best practices, POST, Accreditation and May 2022 Executive Order on Policing.
     
  2. Increase transparency and foster trust through enhanced community engagement via multiple communication platforms.
     
  3. Collaborate with RSJ to consistently evaluate evolving public safety/policing trends and priority community needs.
     
  4. Assess department wide DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) principles and implement training program

     

Programs & Initiatives

If you are a business, consultant, or non-profit that may be able to support Somerville’s business community, we encourage you to respond to our Request for Information (RFI).
Members will develop a recommendation to the Mayor on both the location and scope of a renovated or new school to meet the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Benjamin G. Brown School.

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