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Mayor’s Message continued

Other critical measures have been in place for some time. residents that police officers did not treat citizens equally.
The Police Department currently requires job candidates to I’d suggest the upcoming work group determine how well
undergo psychological reviews, screening them for bias the Police Department implemented the 2015
and a propensity for violence. Fort Lauderdale PD even recommendations. They also should undertake an updated
employs a full-time staff psychologist. Each year, the city analysis to find what additional measures are needed.
mandates compliance training for all officers.
One area that I’m particularly concerned about is how
All officers wear body cameras to record their interactions civilian complaints are investigated.
with the public. Choke holds have long been banned. Many The 2015 report concluded that the role of the Citizen
officers are trained in crisis intervention to help them Police Review Board is unclear and that the department has
recognize people in distress and locate services for them. had major challenges in addressing complaints. I’d like the
And, our department is more diverse than ever in its staffing.
board to have more independence and greater authority.
The City Commission and city manager have agreed to I urge calm and patience as we strive to do better. Fort
create a working group to study reform, and we will
Lauderdale is our city, and violence gets us nowhere.
ensure it is comprised of a cross-section of our community.
A good place for the group to begin their discussion is to In closing, please enjoy your summer and as always,
review an in-depth assessment of the Police Department remain safe and healthy.
undertaken five years ago. Sincerely,
It found significant room for improvement and concluded that Dean Trantalis
the agency needed to address a perception among many Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

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