Ideas for police improvement coming to McDonough

McDonough officials are moving forward with “identification of opportunities for improvement” within the city’s police department. The City Council voted at its June 15 regular meeting to pass a motion by council member Sandra Vincent to involve the police chief, his designee, the mayor and council, and other stakeholders in the process.

The vote came after council discussion that included Vincent’s suggestion to establish a citizen review panel and get the community involved in addressing challenges faced by the police amid the current national unrest. Several potential steps were suggested, including a public workshop, but few specifics were included in the motion.

Council member Benjamin Pruett cast the lone dissenting vote, asking that a decision be delayed until recommendations are made because of the complexity of the issue. Mayor Billy Copeland did not vote.