Ames Today

City of Ames recently issued the following announcement.

Applications for the newly formed Ames Resident Police Advisory Committee (ARPAC) are being accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25. Ames Mayor John Haila and the Ames City Council created ARPAC to provide a resident perspective to the Chief of Police regarding Ames Police Department policies and practices.

Some responsibilities for ARPAC members would include

• providing a citizen perspective on the evaluations of complaints
• developing thoughtful recommendations regarding policies and practices of the Ames Police Department
• creating an annual report of activities to the Ames City Council
• increasing public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the Ames Police Department.

Establishing a resident police advisory board was one of several recommendations from the “Policing in Ames: A Path Forward” report from the Ames City Manager to the Ames City Council in 2020. The report included a series of proposals to improve Ames Police Department policies and practices. A copy of the report is available at https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/police

Applicants to the seven-member board must be Ames residents and 18 years or older. Selected applicants will be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council this spring with the goal of representing community diversity. Appointees will be trained in contemporary policing practices and legal standards. To complete an application, look for the Ames Resident Police Advisory Board (ARPAC) link on the left navigation at www.CityOfAmes.org/BoardsandCommissions

For questions, contact the City Manager's Office at 515.239.5101.

Original source can be found here.