The debate over whether Fresno needs an independent police auditor has swelled since a disturbing video was released showing a Fresno office beating a homeless man while another officer sought to restrain him.
Mayor Ashley Swearengin has scheduled a community forum on the issue for 6 p.m. tomorrow in the council chambers at Fresno's City Hall. Swearengin supported the idea of an auditor during her campaign for mayor last year.
Swearengin has asked her staff to prepare a plan for such a position, and the forum is an excellent opportunity for the community to weigh in, with the mayor in attendance.
The Bee has supported an auditor for years (here's our most recent editorial on the subject), but the crucial details of such a position have yet to be worked out. The community needs to be heard in this issue, and tomorrow's forum is a good place to start.
MOI supports the need for a police auditor, he is also an unabashed supporter of the coppers.
Right odd that Mayor Swearengin and City Council would hold a night session on the very night that President Obama is scheduled to address a Joint Session of the Congress. President Obama will be trying to tell the folks of this country, what is being done to keep America from sliding further into the loo.
MOI will not be at the City Council, he is more interested in what the President of the United States has to say.
Am quite sure that the folks who oppose the police auditor will pack the chamber, will have to read about it in the Bee.
Make sure that you also form a oversight committee to audit the auditor.
Bob I think we may be thinking along the same lines. I feel there is a element out there that no matter what the auditor comes back with based on the facts they will not be satisfied unless the auditor agrees with them. Then what has been achieved?
How about an Obama auditor to honestly evaluate the lies and deception coming out of this administration at lightening speed.
As is with everything it will never be enough. A PA will not cut down on lawsuits unless he sides with the families of the low life criminals.
A timid request for reality check. Are there really people out there who do not support police officers? Those who are police officers and not brutes in uniform. The best to my (first hand) knowledge, even the police officers themselves have no use for the rogues among them. But it is not easy to be a Frank Serpico in the Fresno Police Department.
The IPA forum was disappointing but not surprising. After giving the audience an overhead and handouts describing a proposed IPA/Board plan, the Mayor gave clear instructions for folks to suggest or add on to the IPA/Board proposal in 3 minutes, no rudeness/name calling or clapping (which takes up time).
A few gave some suggestions but nearly all the speakers, many with drama and anger, gave THEIR stories of how horrible, corrupt, illegal, out-of-control our police officers are, including the Chief.
There was a lot of clapping, snickering etc., encouraging what appears to be some highly exaggerated, one-sided stories. It wasn't a forum sharing various views and suggestions but more like the gleeful bashing of one group, law enforcement, for sport (revenge?). I value the difference of opinion, but the meeting was a waste of time for someone looking for enlightenment, fairness, and good community.
Being imperfect mortals,do you think that probably every large entity or industry has some individuals that break the law or on a lesser note, makes a mistake?
Yes, law enforcement should and does have a higher standard and is more visible to public scrutiny than most jobs, as well as harsher sanctions. Officcers must make the correct, split-second and at times life threatening or saving decision under a multitude of conditions.
Most speakers at the Forum painted ALL police officers with the same, ugly brush. And to think many of them said they want to be on the review board. Scary.
There is not a question whether the IPA is an absolute necessity in Fresno. The playing field and rules of engagement need to be set before the program is implemented. Number One, the Police Chief and his Officers need to completely understand that they work for the community and that they are the servants of the people ( they - Officers - have rights as well as the civilians ). The exclusion of information and limited access to officers and information will not be tolerated. The IPA must consist of individuals who will not be swayed by the egotistical prima-donnas that are so prevalent in this occupation. The IPA must base their conclusions on facts and do so without intimidation or coersion. Only the corrupt and guilty fear the IPA. Polygraphs as well.
It is just not the low lifes who have had their rights violated, do you read , it is quite frequent that DNA has cleared individuals in prison for crimes they did not commit. narrow minded peole like yourself are the types who joned the SS in Germany.
The IPA is not about who is 'for ' or 'against' police, it is not about fear as much as it is about accountability. When you have factors of authority figures with truly the ultimate authority when they have badges, and weapons to kill, then you need accountability. That is the issue. Absolute authority corrupts absolutely. History has proven that. If police always did everything right all the time, we wouldn't need defense attorneys. If everyone agreed all the time, we wouldn't need appellate or Supreme courts. All branches of government in our country serve to keep the other branches accountable. Our country was founded on the concept of freedom from persecution in a country where there was no accountability. This concept of accountability should trickle down to a city like Fresno and their police department.
This is neither yeah nor nay to RB's reply to jackie krage. But the average perception of Nazi Germany is rather Hollywood. I lived in Nazi-Occupied Austria for seven years. Though living in the hustling and bustling metropolis Vienna, I never knew an SS man. Those storm troopers were a political organization and they had no connection to the SCHUPO (Schutzpolizei, every day cop.) They were a nice and peaceful lot armed with a nightstick. We were encouraged to look at them as a friend in need. I even borrowed streetcar fare from one when my money just disappeared from my tight fist during an outing in the Vienna Woods with my younger brother. He just boarded the streetcar and left me behind many kilometers from home. I, personally, cannot see a detriment in a police auditor. Those who could find fault could also clear of it.
When you consider the tens of thousands of people incarcerated in prison, find one every few months can hardly be called frequent. Your stretching a long ways here to fit your own rationalization. No one is going to buy this bunch of rubbish your selling.
In my humble opinion, RB's opinions are no more or no less rubbish than those of anyone else. What I find uncomfortable is Jim's reference to tens of thousands of people in prison. Either we are throwing too many people into prison, or we are a very lawsless society?