The Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board adopted a new resolution to endorse community and public safety engagements in social justice reform during a meeting Wednesday, June 24. This conversation began after the district released a statement regarding the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May. 

“Because our district trains police officers at our police academy and the nationwide concerns about racial injustice and police-community relations, the 5 elected Trustees and our Student Trustee unanimously approved [the] resolution,” said board member Greg Enholm at an Antioch City Council meeting held June 30. 

President Rebecca Barrett believes that “we can help move our community and the nation towards a more equitable and socially justice minded society,” by passing this resolution.

The new resolution, written by Enholm, outlines the idea of equity through diversity and talks about the role that the district has in this conversation.

“Our own district, and our own police force, have a role to play in correcting the wrongs of systemic racism in our country,” wrote Enholm in the resolution.

The agenda item was added after the 72 hour regular meeting agenda was posted, but Barrett found it was necessary for the board to take immediate action on this subject.

“Immediate action by this board is necessary because Black lives are being lost every day due to police violence. We [must] add our voice as soon as possible to the growing chorus of voices who are standing up and demanding change due to the death of George Floyd,” said Barrett. 

Police Chief Ed Carney was also a part of this conversation; he was included in writing the resolution and “has been very thoughtful and guiding us through how to craft something like this,” said Bennett. 

It continues by saying, “police use-of-force is among the leading causes of death for young men of color, and Black people; including Black women, girls, queer, trans and non-binary folks, disabled people, American Indians, immigrants, and Latinx are killed by police at disproportionately higher rates than their white peers.”

The actions that will be taken due to this resolution being passed are to be seen, but it does state that “the district Interim Chancellor shall report on district wide achievement in social justice reform at a future Governing Board meeting.”

The next Governing Board meeting will be held via Zoom July 22.