HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-20 Public Comment - A. Davis - 8 Can't WaitFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: 8 Can"t Wait
Date:Wednesday, June 10, 2020 8:53:33 PM
Chris Mehl
Mayor, City of Bozemancmehl@bozeman.net406.581.4992________________________________________From: webadmin@bozeman.net [webadmin@bozeman.net]Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:48 PMTo: Chris MehlSubject: 8 Can't Wait
Message submitted from the <City Of Bozeman> website.
Site Visitor Name: Angela DavisSite Visitor Email: amdavis904@gmail.com
Dear Mayor Chris Helm,First, I would like to thank you for your service and dedication to our community. These are indeed challenging anduncertain times; your commitment to ensuring Bozeman is a safe place is appreciated.
I’d like to make clear that I have never been disappointed in our Bozeman Police department and in no way want tosuggest that I am attacking their current policies. However, in light of issues currently sweeping our country, Iwonder if this is an opportunity for our community to continue to raise the bar of excellence of our police force andstrengthen community bonds by evaluating our current policies.
I’m sure you are familiar with the 8Can’t Wait project. This project suggests cities adopt the following eightpolicies.
1.Ban chokeholds and strangleholds2.Requires de-escalation training3.Requires warning before shooting4.Requires exhaust all alternatives before shooting5.Duty to intervene6.Ban shooting at moving vehicles7.Require use of force continuum8.Require comprehensive reporting
These are mostly free policies that seem, to me, reasonable calls to action in response to our current countryupheaval. The only one I could find on our Bozeman police webpage was the de-escalation training. I am thankfulfor this! I also found that our department does some kind of anti-racism profiling training. Again, thankful! Welldone. However, I am curious about these other policies. Have they been discussed or considered?
I can not begin to imagine how busy you are and the current weight and stress you are under during these times.However, I deeply hope that you are considering these things while you strive to move things forward for ourcommunity.
Any insight or response you could provide to my questions would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Angela Davis
amdavis904@gmail.com(904)-710-0187