Oakley residents are invited to join the Oakley Police Department and City Officials for a virtual community dialogue on policing on Tuesday, September 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Oakley Police Department has always been committed to providing fair and impartial police services. Consistent with this value, is the recognition that creating a space for dialogue with community members is healthy and important to evaluating any blind spots and providing context for the work of our officers and a space for our community to learn together.
During the session, participants can expect a brief introduction to the concept of implicit bias and the impact of bias in the criminal justice system. Further, the evening will be an opportunity for the community to share their experiences, voice their concerns and express their appreciation. Police and City leaders will have an opportunity to share their experiences, provide evidence of listening, and explain their approach. The meeting will be facilitated by Fogbreak Staff, with significant attention to creating norms for discussion including respectful listening.
Fogbreak is an education company for criminal justice professionals, civic leaders and those interested in creating equitable and engaged communities. Fogbreak works to build community trust in law enforcement, teach fairness and other complex skills, and support inclusive leadership and community engagement.
Mayor Kevin Romick stated, “The event is meant to create a safe space for conversation that recognizes the shared humanity of both our police officers and residents. I hope the conversations will allow each of us to learn from one another’s experiences. Ultimately, I hope all participants’ walk away feeling seen, heard, and encouraged to not relent in our desire to always do better, because our community depends on it.”
The dialogue in part, is being co-sponsored by You, Me, We Oakley! (YMWO). You, Me, We Oakley! is a program that seeks to enhance understanding, trust, relationships, integration, participation and cooperation among all residents of Oakley in order to build a more vibrant and cohesive community that lives up to the commitment for Oakley to truly be “a place for families in the heart of the Delta”. YMWO seeks to increase a spirit of mutual respect among all Oakley residents, increase civic participation, and create a more welcoming community here in Oakley.
Participants are asked to register for the event at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEsduuvrTopG9UPNBrM3QB95MwIMBHNykSI or https://bit.ly/3hS7stH After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.