Join the Calgary Police Service Anti-Racism Committee

The Calgary Police Service is looking for members of the community to join a diverse and inclusive committee to assist us in developing our Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

This strategy is being developed as part of our commitment to our communities, City Council and the Calgary Police Commission. This will address systemic racism and evaluate our existing policies, practices and service delivery through a lens of equity, diversity and inclusion. It will also assist us with re-imagining policing in Calgary through both short- and long-term actions.

Community members will assist in identifying systemic barriers to accessing police programs and services. They will also recommend actions to address those barriers, and will assist in identifying opportunities to work with community partners and organizations on actions to address structural racism on a community-wide level.

The Anti-Racism Committee’s key responsibilities

• Advising on the development of the Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy;
• Identifying systemic barriers to accessing police programs and services;
• Identifying language barriers in accessing information regarding police programs and services;
• Identifying opportunities to work with community partners and organizations on actions to address structural racism on a community-wide level; and
• Engaging with community stakeholders on systemic racism and consulting on actions that could be implemented and/or improved.

The Committee’s commitment

• The Committee will meet monthly or at a frequency as determined appropriate by the group;
• Committee members will be asked to commit for a one-year term;
• Co-Chairs will be nominated and elected by Committee members and may alternate the Chair position; and
• Committee members are expected to attend meetings as quorum requires at least six members to be present.

The voices we need

The Anti-Racism Committee will consist of 11 Calgarians. Ideal candidates will:

• Have lived experience of racism and/or professional, academic or cultural expertise in anti-racism related work;
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships;
• Understand a range of human and civil rights issues and the historical origins of systemic racism;
• Be open to supporting people and communities towards meaningful, positive change; and
• Preferably have personal and/or professional community connections that can inform the Committee’s work.

Interested Calgarians are asked to submit a one-page cover letter and resume outlining what they would bring to the committee, with a specific focus on the criteria above.

Applications need to be submitted by January 18, 2021, and can be emailed to bepartofthesolution@calgarypolice.ca.