The city’s review of Somerville Police Policies regarding Biased Based Policing has been postponed until the Board of Alderman meets again next week.

By Joe Ruvido

At its latest meeting on Wednesday, October 19, the Public Health and Safety Committee tabled a discussion about Somerville Police Policies regarding Biased Based Policing. The item was referred to the committee at a July Board of Aldermen meeting, with no action yet taken. Part of the reason the committee did not discuss the matter at Wednesday’s meeting was that Somerville Police Department Chief David Fallon was unable to attend and comment. Mayor Joe Curtatone is open to the idea, stating, “posting bias complains and their outcomes online is something I would certainly support looking at.”

The subject was brought to the board after the spate of police shootings and the killing of five police officers in Dallas last summer. Aldermen received emails and phone calls from constituents in asking about any history of biased policing in Somerville, and policies and procedures the police have for dealing with such cases. The agenda item specifically states, “That the Mayor and the Chief of Police update the city website with expanded information on Police policies on Biased Based Policing, with all recent complaints and outcomes, as well as the complaint filing process and relationship with the Human Rights Commission.”

The Somerville PD policy on Biased Policing defines Biased Based Policing as “the selection of an individual(s) for enforcement action based solely on a trait common to a group.” Groups are defined by different qualifications such as race, gender, age, or economic status. The policy and officer training requirements on the matter can currently be found on the Somerville PD Website (www.somervillepd.com) in the “Policies and Procedures” tab under the General Information Menu. According to the department, Somerville PD policies emphasize “efforts around community policing, include daily walkabouts to connect with residents and business owners, our monthly police-immigrant dialogs, frequent neighborhood Walking Dialogs with officers,” and other measures to promote a healthy relationship with the Somerville community.

Bicycle safety was also a topic of discussion at the meeting. Measures discussed included driver and cyclist education and policies regarding parked car doors near bike lanes. Alderman Matt McLaughlin was supportive of the discussion. “I was happy to see the city taking a proactive approach to bike safety. I believe it is in keeping with our shared goals and values to make this city accessible and safe for everyone,” commented the Alderman from Ward 1. Mayor Curtatone and Police officials talked bike safety at recent ResiStat meetings, as it’s in the city’s plan to promote safe and accessible transit for cyclists and motorists alike. The Board of Aldermen will meet again on Thursday evening, November 10.