SLC’s Commission On Racial Equity Holds First Weekly Meeting

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Salt Lake City’s newly-formed commission on racial equity met for the first time Wednesday.

The commission was created to examine policing in Salt Lake City – one of many changes that have been made since protests erupted in May.

It’s been months since the killing of George Floyd, three months of renewed calls to end police brutality, and three months of pressure on local and state leaders to make changes to policing.

The protests that erupted in May continued for weeks, prompting a ban on chokeholds and some changes to the use of force at some police departments – including in Salt Lake City.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall responded in late June and announced the formation of the new commission on racial equity in policing. It was formally established as a public body earlier in August ahead of Wednesday’s first meeting.

The diverse group of community leaders and advocates will gather weekly to examine and make recommendations on the Salt Lake City Police Department’s policies, culture and budget.

In June, the city council also made changes to the police budget, setting aside more than $5 million to help fund the new commission’s recommendations.

Time will tell what impact the group may have on policing in the city as cries for justice echo across the country.

The meetings will take place each Wednesday at 5 p.m., and they are open to the public.