Dear
I am a 66 year old artist, production designer, adjunct professor, mother, grandmother and American of Armenian decent. My children and grandchildren are African/Armenian Americans. Since my youth in the 1960’s I have studied and struggled with the abuses inherent in the policing policies practiced in the United States. I deeply grieve for the innocent unarmed black and brown men, women, queer and trans people who have died at the hands of the police and I fear for my children, grandchildren and all marginalized members of our society.
From the Antebellum southern slave patrols through the war on drugs and war on crime, we have witnessed an increasingly militarized police force that has its roots in a history of prioritiz- ing the protection of property and subjugation of the working and underclass.
I do not believe that it’s a few bad apples but rather a tree whose root system has evolved from a time of deep segregation and the genocide of black and brown people.
Clearly it is time for serious and bold reform and restructuring. It’s time to reimagine and rede- fine the concept of public safely.
I have voted in every federal and local election since 1972. There are many reforms that can happen at a national level such as a national database of police shootings, excessive force cases and complaints as well as limiting “Qualified Immunity”.
Below are some of the state and local policies that I support:
1. A significant defunding of the police and redistribution of those budgetary funds to areas of social services and community programs such as;
block watch and tenant patrol associations crisis intervention counselors
housing for the unhoused
increased public schools budget
pre and after school programs
job training and paid internships
supplemental food programs to address food insecurity teen summer job programs
community centers with enrichment programs
social service and counseling programs
drug abuse rehabilitation programs
2. A civilian review board for all excessive force complaints.
3. Community and police forums on a regular basis to discuss community/policing concerns and establish a more communicative relationship.
4. Reform hiring criteria to hire only police who live in the community they serve.
5. A state wide database of officers who have been accused and charged with use of exces- sive force. Make the disciplinary records of all officers available to the public.
6. An immediate termination of officers who have been convicted of domestic abuse. 7. Discard the purchase and use of military style tactical weapons and riot gear.
8. Outlaw the use of teargas and pepper spray which is prohibited by the Geneva Protocol of 1925 for use on the battlefield.
9. Body cams must be used at all times and Immediate termination for officers that turn them off.
10.In all excessive force cases assign an outside prosecutor, and place a much higher standard on the defense of “use of force” than simply “feeling threatened”.
11. Limit the police union to collective bargaining on labor issues such as salaries and working conditions (medical and disability insurance). The union cannot inject immunity clauses into contracts.
12. Retrain the police to embrace “protect and serve” as their number one motivation and mis- sion. This is the hardest reform in the list as it’s a redefining of a deeply ingrained culture...but if not now...when?
Thank you for your time and attention. Clearly change is profoundly overdue...change must happen now.
Sincerely,
Nora Chavooshian