Aurora residents invited to discuss police policies

Aurora residents are invited to discuss police policies during a series of communitywide meetings next month.

The city opened registration this week for hundreds of residents to review police use-of-force and training policies, discuss with officials and suggest changes.

The ten "review and recommendation" sessions are part of the first phase of the city's four-point CHANGE Reform Initiative aimed at strengthening police and community relations through multiple collaborative actions, including the first two points of reviewing use-of-force and training policies.

The other two points of the initiative call for the city to conduct an audit on body cameras for police officers and research the implementation of a civilian review board, both of which are currently in progress.

"This is only the first phase of the CHANGE Reform Initiative," said Mayor Irvin. "Chief Ziman, Deputy Chief Cross and our teams are more than ready to move forward with our residents. Change won't happen overnight, but we are all committed to listening, sharing and learning throughout this process and into the future."

Held at Aurora City Hall, 44, E. Downer Place, each two-hour session can accommodate up to 30 residents along with police, city and elected officials. The city is also seeking additional moderators for the sessions.

Registration is open at www.aurora-il.org/CHANGE.

CHANGE is an acronym for Community Helping Aurora's Necessary Growth and Empowerment.