The Lewiston City Council is slated to vote on a resolution Tuesday, that if passed, would commit the city to the purchasing of body cameras for police offers, and the implementation of additional training for not only the police force, but elected officials too.

The resolution was a direct outcome of a meeting between Mayor Mark Cayer and the police patrol union, whom of which recently sent a letter criticizing the council’s recent passing of a resolution condemning racial profiling and excessive force by police.

Should the council approve the resolution, the city would be directed to develop “a plan for the purchase and policies governing the use of body cameras for all sworn department personnel.”

Additionally, the resolution calls for city administration to work with Lewiston Police Chief Brian O’Malley and others to “evaluate the training currently provided to department personnel and to develop recommendations for additional training that would be of benefit in meeting their responsibilities and further their professional development.” This plan would be presented to the City Council for consideration no later than December 31st.

The resolution falls in-line with what was requested of the city in a union letter, especially as it relates to the training including both police and elected officials.

Union President Tom Murphy, a detective, acknowledged that the union agrees with much of council’s resolution on racial profiling and excessive force, but said it fell short on highlighting the department’s proactive, community policing.

The disputed resolution, passed with a 6-1 vote earlier this month, and committed the city to conduct anti-bias and de-escalation training for the police force. In addition, expanding efforts to diversify the police force by recruiting from minority communities. Lastly, reviewing the process of citizen complaints against police officers to better understand how they are investigated.