At yesterday's City Commission meeting the Commission's Community Relations Commission issued a report containing a series of recommendations designed to help make the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) more accountable for its actions. The Community Relations Commission has been examining ways to make the police more accountable after forums held in February of this year revealed numerous allegations of abuse by the GRPD. Thus far the response of the Police department has been to deflect criticism rather than respond to it in a serious manner, both in the case of the February community forums and a recent Urban League report documenting disproportionate arrest rates of African Americans for "hindering and opposing."

Some of the recommendations include:

• Police chief should publish annual report documenting the number of complaints filed, the number of officers involved and disciplinary outcome.
• Provide English and bilingual police complaint forms at city offices, neighborhood associations and libraries.
• Establish timeframes to complete investigations.
• Provide mandatory, ongoing training on cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness with an emphasis on interpersonal skills.
• Giviing the GRPD's Civilian Appeals Board the power to conduct investigations, interview witnesses, and hold evidentiary hearings.