Sacramento Activists Looking For Change In Police Relations
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Community activists in Sacramento are speaking out to change community relations with police. They believe black lives remain at risk in the city. On Monday night, they spoke before the city's community police commission board to voice their concerns.
"I, as well as almost every other black man in Sacramento has been stopped by law enforcement on more than one occasion," said Sacramento attorney Mark Harris.
He said solving the issue has to start with comprehensive action from city leaders.
"I'm disappointed quite honestly that we haven't seen more leadership in the person of the mayor, on this issue, visible active participation."
We reached out to Sacramento Police Department to find out what they plan to do. They referred us to the Office of Public Safety and Accountability, who then referred us to Pastor Les Simmons, the chairman of the newly formed Community Police Commission Board.
"We've been engaged in the community, getting recommendations, getting what the community wants in our city."
Rashid Sadiqe is a community organizer for the Law Enforcement Accountability Directive, a group calling for police accountability. He's worried that the board will overlook citizens' concerns.
"Whether or not those concerns are hear by the commission and brought to the city council is questionable," Sadiqe said.
From his perspective, he feels there should be more African American officers policing African American communities and more transparency on officer-involved shootings in those communities.
Simmons says he plans to do everything he can to relay the message from citizens to the city council.
"I think everybody in this moment is wanting to stick together and work to better our community and police relations, including the city council, including the mayor including the commission, including law enforcement, including the community," Simmons said.
