West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer, in a statement released this week, announced plans to step up efforts in the city to address issues related to equity and diversity. 

City officials will review police use of force policies; seek input from the community on its interactions with police; report findings to the public; and reform police use of force policies, Gaer announced in the statement.

The steps are in reaction to the public outcry over the death of a Minneapolis black man while in custody of police. 

“All of us in local government have the responsibility to listen to concerns, respond, and most importantly, act when we have an opportunity to lead,” Gaer wrote in the release.

All West Des Moines police officers currently receive training in implicit bias, bias-based and racial profiling, hate crime investigations and diversity training, Gaer wrote. In addition, all West Des Moines officers are certified in proper defense tactic techniques. The city has also purchased a simulator for de-escalation training.

The City Council on Monday is expected to approve a pledge Gaer has signed to review and reform some current police policies.