HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-20 Public Comment - E. White - Implement NOW!From:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Implement NOW!
Date:Friday, June 5, 2020 8:18:00 AM
Chris Mehl
Mayor, City of Bozemancmehl@bozeman.net406.581.4992________________________________________From: webadmin@bozeman.net [webadmin@bozeman.net]Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2020 10:46 PMTo: Chris MehlSubject: Implement NOW!
Message submitted from the <City Of Bozeman> website.
Site Visitor Name: Elysa WhiteSite Visitor Email: Fivekoshas@gmail.com
Dear Mayor Chris Mehl,
My name is Elysa White and I am writing as a concerned citizen of Bozeman. I never want to see the kind of policebrutality in our town that we have seen happening across the country. I know the Bozeman PD does NOT have aflawless record on these matters. As the Mayor of Bozeman there are specific powers that you have to place checkson the police and ensure a safer community TODAY!
Please implement the following IMMEDIATELY:
1) BAN the use of chokeholds and strangleholds. Allowing officers to choke or strangle civilians, in many caseswhere less lethal force could be used instead, results in the unnecessary death or serious injury of civilians.
2) REQUIRE de-escalation. Require officers to de-escalate situations, where possible, by communicating withsubjects, maintaining distance, and otherwise eliminating the need to use force.
3) REQUIRE warning before shooting. Require officers to give a verbal warning, when possible, before shooting ata civilian
4)EXHAUST all other means before shooting. Require officers to exhaust all other reasonable means beforeresorting to deadly force.
5) DUTY to intervene. Require officers to intervene and stop excessive force used by other officers and report theseincidents immediately to a supervisor.
6) BAN shooting at moving vehicles. Restrict officers from shooting at moving vehicles, which is regarded as aparticularly dangerous and ineffective tactic.
7) REQUIRE use of Force Continuum. Develop a Force Continuum that limits the types of force and/or weaponsthat can be used to respond to specific types of resistance.
8) REQUIRE comprehensive reporting. Require officers to report each time they use force or threaten to use force
against civilians.
Again, you have the power to implement these measures immediately. It is your duty.
Regards,
Elysa White