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1/ BREAKING NEWS: 76 CJ leaders - DAs, AGs, Chiefs & Sheriffs nationwide - filed an amicus brief urging inclusive & thoughtful reform of policing & challenging the flawed process & Commission the President & AG have put in place to address these issues. https://fairandjustprosecution.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FACA-Amicus-Brief-Release.pdf
2/ Against the backdrop of the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others, the brief highlights the deeply frayed relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. https://fairandjustprosecution.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FACA-Amicus-Brief.pdf
3/ In the brief, amici argue that the “Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice” lacks the transparency and balance of perspectives necessary to transform policing, earn community trust & improve public safety.
4/ “As communities protest against racial injustice and demand that we reimagine policing and the criminal justice system, it is a foolhardy exercise to do so without their input.” – @WesleyBell4STL @stlcopa
5/ The Brief states:
“Law enforcement must earn the public’s trust…But that is only possible when law enforcement officials pair their words with a meaningful commitment to learning from, and partnering with, the communities they serve.”
“Law enforcement must earn the public’s trust…But that is only possible when law enforcement officials pair their words with a meaningful commitment to learning from, and partnering with, the communities they serve.”
6/ “Developing policy recommendations through a closed process that solicits only a handful of non-representative and homogeneous viewpoints will undermine confidence in the legitimacy of that process and the resulting recommendations.”
7/ “Trust won’t be rebuilt & the justice system won’t regain legitimacy, if critical policing...policies are developed through a process that is not transparent, inclusive & informed by a diverse set of viewpoints...A flawed process... is the last thing a nation in crisis needs."
8/ The Commission is composed solely of law enforcement members, all of whom are current gov't employees, with NO ONE from impacted communities, civil rights groups, policing reform advocates, or others representing the public that law enforcement is responsible for serving.
9/ The Commission was charged with examining “UNDER-enforcement” of criminal laws and “respect for law enforcement” – with NO MENTION of concerns around over policing in communities of color or racial disparities in the justice system.
10/ Thanks to LE leaders including @noblenatl @ChiefB_CvillePD @WSheriff @BrandondelPozo @AbdulPridgen @CMPDChiefRet for joining us in speaking out on this important issue.
