Goal #9

Explore criminal justice reform for fair and equitable enforcement of laws for adults and juveniles

1. Explore removing the criminal history background question from the initial employment application

• Conduct a City Council Work Session to discuss potential City and business-community policies related to the criminal background history question on initial employment applications | Human Resources | Start FY 2021 Q2 | Complete FY 2021 Q2

• Conduct a Town Hall Meeting to discuss potential policies related to criminal background history questions on employment applications | Human Resources | Start FY 2021 Q2 | Complete FY 2021 Q2

2. Review enforcement of marijuana-related offenses

• Conduct a City Council Work Session to discuss the City’s procedure for enforcement of marijuana possession | Police Department | Start FY 2021 Q3 | Complete FY 2021 Q3

• Conduct a Town Hall Meeting to discuss City procedures for enforcement of marijuana possession | Police Department | Start FY 2021 Q3 | Complete FY 2021 Q3

3. Provide a report to the City Council at a Work Session on the outcomes of the Citizens Police Advisory Committee | Police Department | Start FY 2021 Q4 | Complete FY 2021 Q4

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4th Quarter Update
September 2021

The Council has adopted a Fair Chance hiring ordinance restricting questions regarding criminal history on initial job applications. The policy has been implemented for City operations. Staff is developing public information sources to assist DeSoto businesses in implementing the policy beginning January 1, 2022. Outreach includes letters to business partners and Fair Chance stickers for participating businesses. City Council has reviewed and considered the City’s marijuana enforcement procedures and decided to take no further action at this time. This goal has been completed for FY 2021.

3rd Quarter Update
July 2021

The Council has adopted a Fair Chance hiring ordinance restricting questions regarding criminal history on initial job applications. The policy has been implemented for City operations. Staff is developing public information sources to assist DeSoto businesses in implementing the policy beginning January 1, 2022. City Council has reviewed and considered the City’s marijuana enforcement procedures and decided to take no further action at this time.