HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-20 Public Comment - L. Grusonik - PoliceFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Police
Date:Friday, June 5, 2020 8:18:15 AM
Chris Mehl
Mayor, City of Bozemancmehl@bozeman.net406.581.4992________________________________________From: webadmin@bozeman.net [webadmin@bozeman.net]Sent: Friday, June 05, 2020 7:16 AMTo: Chris MehlSubject: Police
Message submitted from the <City Of Bozeman> website.
Site Visitor Name: Laurie GrusonikSite Visitor Email: lgrusonik@gmail.com
Dear Mayor Chris Mehl,
My name is Laurie Grusonik and I am writing as a concerned citizen of Bozeman. First, I want to say that Iappreciate you, your leadership and the work you do. I enjoy seeing your posts on bozone.orgs.
I never want to see the kind of police brutality in our town that we have seen happening across the country. I knowthe Bozeman PD does NOT have a flawless record on these matters. As the Mayor of Bozeman there are specificpowers that you have to place checks on 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 civilian4)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 forceagainst civilians.
Again, you have the power to implement these measures immediately. It is your duty.
Regards,Laurie Grusonik