I agree that in order to improve the relationship between Oakland’s young people and Oakland police officers:

1. Oakland police officers should carry business cards with their names, badge number and contact info on thefront, and on the back, the phone numbers and websites for filing a complaint or for sending a compliment.Officers should be required to hand out their business card every time a civilian initiates contact (for help) orwhen officers stop someone and do not provide any other written form of identification, such as a citation.

The person who receives it should sign for it so that the officer has proof that he provided the card.

2. The Oakland Police Department should provide a two-hour training in the police academy and for refreshercourses which is led by young people, using a curriculum designed by young people. The training will focus onhow police officers interact with youth – particularly the initial approach and communication at the outset.

The Oakland Youth Policy Builders are a product of PUEBLO in partnership with Concerned Black Men of Oakland. It is a program for young people from 14 to 23 years old. Participants will work to improve the relationship between the Oakland police officers and Oakland’s youth. Utilizing the PUEBLO survey of over 700 high school students about their interactions with police, these young policy builders will analyze the data and propose changes in policy that are intended to lessen tensions and provide for a more constructive relationship.

Oakland Youth Policy Builders People United For A Better Life in Oakland (PUEBLO) Concerned Black Men of Oakland