HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/16/2021 Item 7, JohnsonCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
Council Agenda Correspondence
Date: February 4, 2021
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Derek Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Item 6 - After Action Review for June 1, 2020
ENC: June 1, 2020 After Action Review
On June 16, 2020, Chief Cantrell gave a special presentation to the City Council regarding the
community’s request for information regarding the events on June 1, 2020. In response to
questions, the City Manager directed the Police Department staff to prepare an After-Action
Review (AAR). The focus of this AAR was the events of the June 1, 2020 protest, including
protestors marching on Highway 101 and law enforcement using Chloroacetophenone (CN) gas,
commonly referred to as “tear gas”. The AAR thoroughly reviewed the event and considers what
happened, why it happened, what can be done in the future to possibly avoid similar outcomes and
“lessons learned” to improve overall safety in supporting free speech events.
The mechanism most widely utilized by the police for understanding critical incidents or events
are “After Action Reviews” (AAR’s) or “Critical Incident Reviews” (CIR’s). They are
fundamental to the development of a healthy, accountable, and community-engaged police
department. Honest and self-critical reviews of the various critical incidents or events that the
police are charged with resolving or managing is essential to maintaining the public’s trust and
confidence in the local governmental entity paid to protect it. The San Luis Obispo Police
Department routinely conducts CIRs and as such it was determined they would conduct the AAR
of the June 1, 2020 protest. This AAR was guided and reviewed by Chief James Bueermann, who
is nationally recognized for his extensive work with AAR’s. Additionally, an independent
consultant, Kari Mansager, was utilized to conduct the community review portion of the AAR.
Staff has provided the After-Action Review of the events on June 1, 2020 in advance of the
February 16, 2021 City Council meeting. The purpose of providing this report in advance of the
meeting is to allow the City Council and the community the opportunity to review and submit
correspondence for the City Council meeting. Additionally, staff wanted to provide time to the
City Council to review the report in anticipation of Council 2-2-1s which are scheduled for
February 8th. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Interim Chief Jeff Smith or
myself.