Since the police-involved shooting of De’Von Bailey on Aug 3, 2019, there have been community

divisions in Colorado Springs. De’Von’s death and related events brought about significant local,

state and national media coverage. Public protests have disrupted events. Police department and

city officials have been criticized for their response. Neighborhood residents, concerned

community members, and law enforcement leaders have found themselves at odds on how to heal

from this trauma, repair mistrust, and come together for real solutions.

The Reverend Promise Y. Lee officiated at De’Von Bailey’s funeral and serves as the Bailey family’s

pastor and spokesperson. Other individuals and groups came together with offers of support. The

Law Enforcement Accountability (LEA) Project grew out of this collective interest. The LEA Project

is a series of programs and events designed to broaden community knowledge of, conversation

about and engagement with police transparency and accountability.

As part of this project, twelve community leaders attended a symposium put on by the National

Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). Members of this delegation

represented neighborhoods most impacted, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), the

business community, Colorado Springs City Council, clergy members, and academia. The group was to bring back information and report on the symposium at a public event on April 2. The COVID-19 pandemic required postponing that event until it becomes safe to publicly gather again.

Consequently, this summary provides a brief overview of the conference and follow up.

The symposium, “New Frontiers in Oversight of Jails, Prisons and Police,” covered latest

developments and current research in independent oversight. This full day, academic symposium

was held at the University of Texas Law School in Austin (3/6/20). Sessions covered topics like the

state of civilian oversight, using data to promote reform, the health and care of people in custody

and new voices in oversight. One session, entitled “Policing the Police,” covered constitutional and

administrative standards regulating police use of force, community advisory boards and police

effectiveness. The lunchtime keynote was on the use of big data in policing.

Presentations were high-level and specialized, with an academic focus. Many reported on new

research and/or work yet to be published. While there was a heavy focus on jails and prisons, the

principles of transparency, accountability and oversight applied across settings. Along with more

specific data, some general ideas about oversight emerged from the symposium. Some of these

are:

● Law enforcement transparency may help prevent harm.

● There is still great variety in the mechanisms of practice and in levels of effectiveness.

● The creation of oversight bodies tends to follow high profile incidents. “The idea should be

to lift up [law enforcement agencies], not just to limit harm.” –Michele Deitch, JD 2

● There are different models of police oversight along with conditions and principles that can

be applied to maximize effectiveness. (NACOLE’s new, large research overview looking at

166 oversight agencies was only partially presented. Release of the full study has been

postponed because of the current crisis.)

● Oversight agencies are still kept from the information they need to do their jobs.

● For new groups and efforts that are starting, ask key questions: What are the expectations

and are they shared? What are we looking for in terms of results? What sustainable

resources will be available to this effort and how many of the principles are being

followed? How does state law empower or obstruct oversight?

● Sometimes community advisory boards can result in worse than what the community

started with if they’re not implemented properly.

● There is an assumption that transparency increases accountability. It may also increase

police effectiveness, defined as the proportion of crimes that police ultimately solve.

Beyond the above, themes from a debrief session with symposium attendees include:

● The importance of breaking down barriers, human connection and interaction. “We’re all

people at the end of the day.”

● This is hard work. Where to start and how to do this so that it is “good for everyone.”

There’s so much we don’t know. Lots to learn–166 programs around the country.

● This has to be the real deal. Stability requires substantive commitment.

● Although oversight may be initiated after a traumatic event, it should not be developed as

a “gotcha.” One size does not fit all.

● Generally good programming and research. Some disappointment with amount of

programming on prisons and jails, not as relevant. Need more complete data.

● We set a goal of five attendees and had 12 across sectors. Colorado Springs had the most

representation of any community. The diversity of participation (including two

representatives from CSPD) and the interaction within our group was valuable in building

relationships.

As follow up to the symposium, there is general agreement among attendees to move forward

with the formation of a panel or task force that would continue a period of research and study and

arrive at some suggestions of what could work best for Colorado Springs. Several volunteered to

be part of this.

City Councilor Wayne Williams and Pastor Promise Lee will present a preliminary outline to the

Colorado Springs Council at its Work Session on Tuesday, April 14. Meanwhile, the “Austin Group”

will continue to gather literature and research resources, develop a mission and charge for the

panel and begin identifying possible panel members and constituent representation.

Respectfully submitted,

Members of Colorado Springs delegation to the 2020 NACOLE Academic Symposium (the “Austin

Accountability Group”)