HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-20 Public Comment - J. Pye - End Police BrutalityFrom:Cyndy Andrus
To:Agenda
Subject:Fwd: End Police Brutality
Date:Sunday, June 7, 2020 12:32:14 PM
Cynthia Andrus|Deputy Mayor
City of BozemanP:406.582.2383|E:candrus@bozeman.net|W: www.bozeman.net
Begin forwarded message:
From: Jesse Pye <ijustwanttomakeadoc@gmail.com>Date: June 7, 2020 at 5:50:54 AM MDTTo: Cyndy Andrus <CAndrus@BOZEMAN.NET>Subject: End Police Brutality
Dear Mayor Andrus and Chief Crawford,
As your constituent I cannot accept belonging to a community in which the safety
of each resident is not guaranteed. The recent deaths of George Floyd, BreonnaTaylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Sean Reade, and others unnamed across
the country demonstrate loudly and clearly that “A commitment to protect andpreserve life necessitates the immediate adoption of more restrictive policies
governing when and how officers use force.” (Campaign Zero, Police Use ofForce Policy Analysis, 2016).
As a member of the electorate, I implore you to take action now, beginning by
taking former President Obama’s Mayoral Pledge: 1) REVIEW your police use of force policies.
2) ENGAGE your communities by including a diverse range of input,experiences, and stories in your review.
3) REPORT the findings of your review to your community and seek feedback. 4) REFORM your community’s police use of force policies.
In formulating laws for the future, I request you consider the Campaign Zero’s “8
Can’t Wait” points to restrict police use of force against civilians, all of which canbe found here: https://8cantwait.org. Campaign Zero data indicates that each
additional use of force policy can reduce killings in the average police departmentby 15%.
Personal suggestions for improvement include:
- Passing legislation to prevent arbitrators from re-employing officers removedfrom duty for misconduct, as per Chief Sean Branner of Florida Atlantic
University’s recommendation.
- Ensuring the standard use of new technology such as body cameras by all policedepartments under your jurisdiction, as per Chief Javaro Sims of Delray Beach’s
recommendation. - End incarceration for offenses unrelated to public safety, such as Disorderly
Conduct, Public Urination, Bicycle on Sidewalk, Trespassing, and Failure toComply with Parking Signs.
- Redesigning police trainings to emphasize the protection of human rights,dignity, and public safety for all; to address procedural justice, implicit bias, and
de-escalation/use of force; and to engage the community in trainings.
I refuse to remain silent during this pivotal moment of change in our nation’shistory. I ask that you and your colleagues across the state work together to
promote a better relationship between law enforcement and the communitiesthey’re supposed to protect as well as work to undo systematic racism embedded
within our local institutions.
I also recognize the value of the work done by many of our current lawenforcement officers. I appreciate the sacrifices they and their families make for
the safety of our community, and I encourage you to include their input in effortsto make safer, more restrictive use of force policies.
I ask that you please contact me in the near future and share with me some of the
things you are fighting for, as well as please let me know what more I can do topromote my ideals.
Sincerely,
Jessica Pye