City of Santa Monica Makes Progress on Commitment to Racial Equity

January 26, 2022 10:52 AM

Following the worldwide outcry and local movement against systemic racism and to better live our values of equity and inclusion, the City of Santa Monica implemented a series of efforts to advance social equity throughout the city and its staff in 2020. An update was shared this week with the City Council in the form of an Information Item that can be viewed here.

Building on the work of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) cohort of City staff that began its work in 2017, a representative from each City Department was selected as an Equity and Inclusion Officer (EIO) to make up an internal Racial Equity Committee. The 2021 Racial Equity Committee advanced the following six goals:

  1. Informal Mentoring Program: Developed a program to support retention and career advancement for staff of all backgrounds
  2. Hiring Process: Drafted recommendations for standard diversity, equity, and inclusion questions for all job interviews and established a training and guide for interview panelists
  3. Implicit Bias and Cultural Competency Training: Developed a foundational training curriculum for staff and created continuing education courses to deepen staff knowledge of these topics
  4. Performance Evaluations: Developed recommendations for diversity, equity, and inclusion standards to include in performance evaluations
  5. Racial Equity Toolkit: Began to develop a toolkit that will be rolled out in phases to provide staff with assessment tools, checklists, definitions, and guidance for incorporating equity into daily work
  6. Equity Plan: Began to craft a plan outlining the City’s vision for achieving equity for future adoption by the City Council

Now, a soon-to-begin new cohort of EIOs for 2022 will continue the positive momentum toward a more inclusive City organization and community by developing departmental equity plans that will be part of the City’s overall Equity Plan anticipated to be released next year.  They will also continue to support pathways for staff to feel comfortable and receive training on cultural competence and implicit bias, and to encourage affinity groups, and other opportunities for engagement on equity issues. The following additional projects will also be advanced in 2022:

Another distinct effort that is part of the City’s commitment to racial equity is the now active Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission. The community will be invited to a Race and Policing panel to be held by the Commission, with support from the Racial Equity Committee, in spring 2022. 

Information Item >

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Media Contact

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov

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