Columbia officials, NAACP, police discuss community requests for city council

Five requests for the city were drawn up by several organizations that gathered to discuss a variety of social issues last night at Second Missionary Baptist Church.

Among those present were City Manager Mike Matthes, the entire Columbia Police Department’s command staff, and leaders of the local NAACP chapter.

The five requests, which will be submitted to City Council in November, address both the police department and the city government.

They include: Additional diversity trainings with the police department, transparency in government, a task force dedicated to better handling mental health issues, alternative hiring practices to avoid discrimination and more community engagement meetings with police.

ABC 17 is reaching out to members of City Council and the NAACP to find out more about these requests and where they stand now.