(Dublin, OH) The City of Dublin, with direction from the City Council, is proud to announce the formation of a Community Task Force and Chief’s Advisory Committee to assist and advise City Council, City Manager Dana McDaniel and Chief of Police Justin Páez on combating and prohibiting social injustice, inequity, intolerance, negative stereotyping and discrimination in the Dublin community.
In addition, the City has recently established two LGBTQ+ liaison positions, and the Dublin Police Department has appointed two new Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) to further community outreach.
Dublin City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 41-20 at its regular meeting on August 10 that was streamed live on the City’s website and Facebook page. The resolution establishes the brand-new Community Task Force and Chief’s Advisory Committee that seek
- to provide opportunities for public engagement,
- to review City and Police department policies and procedures,
- and serve as a sounding board for City initiatives that aim to promote and celebrate diversity while also addressing equity and inclusion.
The Community Task Force and Chief’s Advisory Committee are volunteer groups of community members made up of Dublin community stakeholders, including representatives from minority populations in Dublin, administrative representatives from the Dublin City School District, Dublin youth and Dublin business owners. Community Task Force and the Chief’s Advisory Committee appointees are listed in Resolution 41-20.
“In order for real, significant change to take place in our community, City Council is establishing focused venues to ensure people the opportunity and safe space to express their thoughts, experiences and ideas,” City Manager Dana McDaniel said. “We pledge as a community to continually improve as an inclusive society and organization that everyone deserves. We are resolute in our belief that all people must be treated with compassion, care and respect.”
The Community Task Force will advise City Council and City Manager Dana McDaniel on matters of social justice, identify and recommend solutions to defeat social injustice, bias, bigotry, inequity and racism in the community, and promote opportunities to foster understanding, inclusion, positive relationships and a strong sense of community among City employees and all community members.
The Chief’s Advisory Committee will meet with Chief of Police Justin Páez, as well as Dublin Police Department executive staff, to provide valued advice, perspective, recommendations and feedback on significant community-police relations issues. The Committee may be asked to assist the police department with aligning its mission and goals with community expectations by conducting research, soliciting community feedback about the department, reviewing policies and procedures, and supporting the department’s efforts in community outreach and engagement.
“During a national call to address injustice and inequity in our communities, I’m proud of the City of Dublin for bringing together residents and leaders on these issues,” Police Chief Justin Páez said. “I’m looking forward to hearing from the Chief’s Advisory Committee members about how we can work collectively to further social justice in Dublin.”
These new advisory groups will create opportunities for open community discussions, called Dublin Community Conversations, to address general public concerns, issues of inequality and social injustice in the community, as well as hear ideas on how to address these concerns.
In light of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these forums may be held online until in-person sessions are possible. As details are finalized, information will be provided on the City of Dublin’s website at DublinOhioUSA.gov/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion.
“The City of Dublin has City Council’s full support as we recognize that every community, including Dublin, must work against root causes of social injustice,” Dublin Mayor Chris Amorose Groomes said. “The formation of the City’s new Community Task Force and Chief’s Advisory Committee will provide valuable input and ideas to celebrate our differences and be an example to other communities.”
LGBTQ+ LIAISONS
In June 2020, LGBTQ+ Liaisons were appointed to be a link between Dublin’s gay and lesbian community and the City Manager’s Office and the Dublin Police Department. Officer Amber McCloskey and J.M. Rayburn, Planner I in the City’s Division of Planning, will serve as the City’s LGBTQ+ Liaisons.
The LGBTQ+ Liaisons are responsible for reviewing City policies and services through an LGBTQ+ lens as well as assisting the City in creating policies and delivering services that ensure inclusivity. The liaisons will serve as empathetic representatives for constituents who want to bring LGBTQ+ related issues to the City, without concern of being dismissed or misunderstood.
LGBTQ+ Liaisons will also advise the City Manager, City Council and other City officials on LGBTQ+ issues, arrange for City employee training on LGBTQ+ topics, develop and implement strategies to address the needs of vulnerable groups within the LGBTQ+ community, and more.
“The goal for these new LGBTQ+ Liaisons is to champion positive outcomes for the entirety of Dublin relating to issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community,” City Manager Dana McDaniel noted. “I appreciate Officer McCloskey and Mr. Rayburn for their dedication to serving our LGBTQ+ neighbors by showing the City is an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.”
COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICERS
The Dublin Police Department welcomes Officers Amber McCloskey and Rigoberto Quintanilla as the two newest Community Liaison Officers (CLOs). They join Officers Scott Brown and Scott Nichelson as CLOs for the City.
Community Liaison Officers seek to find new ways the police department can connect with the community. CLOs work to enhance the department’s outreach and engagement efforts, focused on being in tune with citizens’ concerns, being part of national and local dialogue about community-police relations, finding new ways Dublin Police can help the community,
looking to citizens for ideas and building a reciprocal relationship with community members.
“The City of Dublin is a community that prides itself on being home to people who have a rich diversity of backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and experiences,” McDaniel said. “The City will continue to encourage such diversity by listening to the ideas of the Community Task Force and Chief’s Advisory Committee, as well as connecting with the community through the LGBTQ+ Liaisons and Community Liaison Officers.”
For more information, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov and follow the City’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
###
About the City of Dublin, Ohio, USA
Dublin is a city of more than 50,000 residents located just northwest of Columbus, Ohio. It offers residents and corporate citizens responsive services, attractive housing, superior public education, direct regional highway access, abundant park space, thoughtful and strategic planning, innovative ideas and technology and a dynamic community life. Dublin is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in the nation. It is home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, an entrepreneurial center, 4,300+ businesses, world-class events and the urban, walkable Bridge Street District. For more information, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov or call 614.410.4400.
Media Contact:
Sue Burness
Director of Communications & Public Information
614.410.4508 – Desk
614.226.5382 – Cell
sburness@dublin.oh.us
newsroom: http://dublinohiousa.gov/newsroom/
