Pierce County Council action around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In June 2020, the Pierce County Council adopted Resolution No. R2020-43, which recognized the diverse communities of Pierce County, the factors leading to systemic racism, and the principle that the rights of every citizen are diminished when the rights of one citizen is threatened. The Council also requested several executive departments and the judicial branch to review current policies, procedures, and best practices considering the County’s commitment to community inclusivity, and to submit those reviews to Council.
In response to Resolution No. R2020-43, the Pierce County Executive formed the Criminal Justice Workgroup to analyze the county's criminal justice data. Workgroup members represent the Office of the Executive, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Department of Assigned Counsel, Pierce County Sheriff, Pierce County Corrections, and the Clerk of Superior Court.
Following the passage of Resolution No. R2020-43, the Council created a 14-member Public Review Committee to review the requested submissions and provide recommendations to the Council (Resolution No. R2020-76). Facilitated by Retired Pierce County Superior Court Judge Frank Cuthbertson, the Public Review Committee met seven times from Sept. 23 to Nov. 4, 2020, and presented its final report to Council on Nov. 18, 2020.
Included were three principal recommendations: Continue the Public Review Committee as is or in some form; Conduct further analysis of criminal justice data; and Adopt countywide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Equity Review Committee formation
On Aug. 3, 2021, Council adopted two resolutions (R2021-108s and R2021-109), creating the Equity Review Committee and requesting the Executive develop and recommend the following DEI initiatives:
- A countywide equity index (R2021-108s).
- An analytical framework (called an “equity note”) that uses the index to evaluate legislation and actions proposed by the Executive (R2021-108s).
- A DEI policy to guide all Executive department and Council decision making (R2021-109).
- Assessment tools for promoting cultural competency in county operations (R2021-109).
Council requested the Executive deliver his recommendations to the Equity Review Committee by Aug. 15, 2022 for committee review. The Committee must also do the following:
- Monitor and review the continuing data analysis conducted by the Executive's Criminal Justice Workgroup.
- Provide its own recommendations on moving the County to a more culturally competent organization.
The Equity Review Committee sunset on October 3, 2022. A final report was submitted to the Council on October 20, 2022.