Champaign City Council members have been discussing revisions in the city police department’s use-of-force policy, which details the manner in which an officer may carry or employ deadly force.

While Council members have addressed some concerns, such as which groups review police conduct as well as the language of the policy itself, the changes are part of a bigger effort to establish stronger community relations.

Community members brought up their concerns regarding the policy after the death of Kiwane Carrington, a 15-year-old who was shot by a n officer during an incident last October.

Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney, who was present during the Carrington altercation, said the policy was revised for clarification for the public.

“The revision came from suggestions made by the City Council that they wanted to see,” Finney said. “The intent and law of the policy didn’t change. It is and has been guided by Illinois state policy.”

Other than clearing up the language, the updates reestablished who receives the Annual Use of Force Report, which will be sent to the City Council and the Human Relations Commission.

“The changes made were in one of the two older policies, anyway,” Finney said. “This just serves to make it more clearly outlined.”

Fred Stavins, city attorney, said the changes made collectively formed one of six initiatives by City Manager Steven Carter to promote transparency in the police department and community.

“It is one of the initiatives that we can proceed with more immediately,” Stavins said.

Aaron Ammons, co-founder of Champaign-Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice, said he appreciated the effort the Champaign Police Department has made in correcting what was done, but he thinks there are more necessary measures. To foster better relations, the police need to get to know the community, he said.

“Had Kiwane known these officers in a different light, had more contact with them on a regular basis in a positive light, then he would not be dead,” Ammons said. “It’s not just the policy, but the heart and mind of the individuals on the police force that needs to change.

“I say this as an encouragement to all members of the community to look at the laws that govern them to see if they are really just,” Ammons said. “If these people didn’t look into the use-of-force policy, these issues would’ve never been brought up.”