Officers and Gentlemen
Citizen review of law enforcement has become increasingly common in recent years, with more than three-quarters of all major U.S. cities having established some form of citizen review committee, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In reviewing the proposal, county staff met with independent auditors in Santa Cruz and Davis. As suggested during Tuesday’s supervisors’ meeting, their greatest function has proved to be public relations. In a 2003 report for Police Chief Magazine, California Highway Patrol Deputy Commissioner Joe Farrow discussed the pros and cons of such committees, saying that “Even though research indicates that citizen review systems do not seem to deter law enforcement misconduct more than internal systems, citizen review systems are almost universally considered to have greater legitimacy in the communities they serve.”
Supervisor Jill Duffy opposed the formation of the CLELC, citing cost concerns and the existence of established mechanisms for review. Board Chair Jimmy Smith expressed his appreciation for the work of the Human Rights Commission but said the CLELC program “isn’t quite ready.” But with support from Supervisors Bonnie Neely, Clif Clendenen and Mark Lovelace, the proposal gained the support it needed to move toward a final resolution. All indications point to ultimate approval along the same lines.
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on the cover
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Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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THREE Comments
Comment / By Thirdeye / Dec. 3, 2009, 5:26 p.m.
Yes, lets spend the County’s time and money on a useless committee that won’t accomplish anything existing channels won’t, just to appease the cop-haters.
All of the EPD incidents were thoroughly investigated. Cop-haters were disappointed. Gallegos went after EPD in the Moore case and got his ass handed to him in court. Awwwww, too bad.
Comment / By Johneureka / Dec. 5, 2009, 6:53 p.m.
This whole thing is ridiculous. The committee will be dominated by anti cop types who always seem to have time for this nonsense.
Have you noticed, that ever since the run of shootings by the EPD, nobody has dared to shoot shotguns, charge at with butcher knives, point flare guns at or attacked any officers?
Comment / By Christine / Dec. 9, 2009, 12:12 a.m.
It still amazes me that these incidents are considered “controversial”. Lets examine:
Cheri Lyn Moore: brandished a flare gun at the general public and an officer. Christopher Burgess: Attempted to attack an officer with a knife. Jonni Honda: Violent sex offender armed with a gun and had outstanding warrants. Zachary Cruz Cooke: After committing several violent armed robberies fired a shotgun at law enforcement officers.
All of these people were impacting on the general public’s pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. They alone were responsible for their actions and the end of their lives. If any police officers had been killed in any of these incidents I am sure the public outcry would have been much, much less and that is sickening. As a citizen of Eureka I am satsifed with the police departments handling of the above cases