HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-2020 Public Comment - B. Smith - Bozeman PolicingFrom:Chris Mehl
To:Agenda
Subject:FW: Bozeman Policing
Date:Tuesday, June 23, 2020 7:05:15 PM
Chris Mehl
Mayor, City of Bozemancmehl@bozeman.net406.581.4992________________________________________From: webadmin@bozeman.net [webadmin@bozeman.net]Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 3:30 PMTo: Chris MehlSubject: Bozeman Policing
Message submitted from the <City Of Bozeman> website.
Site Visitor Name: Bruce SmithSite Visitor Email: brucesmith289@outlook.com
Due to a recent incident in which foreign students were handcuffed in a mistaken accusation I question whether ourlocal police share the bias that seems endemic to police forces in this county. Given the widespread police violencein this country, the unending requirement of more money for law enforcement, the incarceration of minorities forminor infractions and the racial bias endemic to so many departments my confidence in our police is limited. Themanner in which hardcore military equipment, the BearCar, was sneaked into our community further erodes mytrust.I was disappointed that the commission responded for the calls to address improvements to the police department bystarting a study. Judging from my experience as a Habitat volunteer this seems like the city government’s means ofdelaying and pushing an issue aside.I have the following questions that I think should be publicly addressed.1- What is the policy regarding chokeholds?2- What steps are necessary to fire an officer who has more than two reprimands?3- What training do officers receive in technique to deescalate a situation?4- What is the usage of body cameras?5- Does the department stock tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades? If so, who determines when they aredeployed?6- What other military equipment was gifted to our department, if any?7- How is interaction with Hispanic people accomplished when there is a language barrier?8- Does the proportion of colored people incarcerated reflect their numbers in the population?9- Does the police department cooperate with ICE?10- Apparently it is acceptable in the city of Bozeman for any citizen to carry firearms into a peaceful protest. Is thiscity policy?