LOS ANGELES – The Civilian Oversight Commission, a watchdog agency for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, resolved Thursday to hold the department accountable for using force and to join community members in enacting “real changes” within the criminal justice system.
“George Floyd didn’t deserve to die. His murder by a law enforcement officer in full view of the public is a horrific reminder of how this nation has collectively failed black people and other people of color time and time again,” a COC statement reads.
“With COVID-19 disproportionately affecting black and Latino communities, George Floyd’s killing underscores how far we have not come. While we are angered and mourn the death of George Floyd, we also remember the countless other men and women who have died and suffered because of an unjust system, including the many lives lost in Los Angeles County who have been killed because of illegal acts by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
The statement issued after the COC’s Thursday meeting recognized protesters’ grief, while seeming to condemn looters and drawing parallels with 1992 Los Angeles.
“Black Lives do matter; we recognize and embrace this. To those who are hurting, we hear you; we, too, are hurting. To those who are grieving, we are grieving with you. To those who are taking advantage of this pain and anguish, we condemn your actions and ask that you see the negative impact your actions are having on a cause that is worthy and just. It has been 30 years since Rodney King. Little has changed,” the statement reads.
The COC said a fundamental shift is required to eliminate inequality in all its forms, including social, economic and judicial disparities.
An ad hoc committee of the COC has been reviewing the department’s use-of-force policies long before Floyd’s death sent protesters to the streets, according to COC Executive Director Brian Williams. A final set of recommendations will be presented to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors within 30 days.
Williams said he sees an opportunity for meaningful change.
“We’re certainly hoping that this movement turns into action, and that this action turns into real, substantive change,” Williams said.
In its formal statement, the COC invited the entire community to engage alongside the commission in an effort to enact “real changes” within the criminal justice system on a sustained basis. In closing, the statement offered two quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere” and “Riots are the language of the unheard,” before telling protesters, “We hear you and commit to listen even more deeply and to act judiciously.”
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Green polka dotted person says
All lives matter. I have looked into it and I have to say that I don’t understand why black people want racial equality when dealing with police because from the numbers white people are killed twice as often by police as black. But really what this whole thing SHOULD be about is a police officer killing an innocent person knowingly and willingly.
I think they powers that be want the people to focus on the racial aspects of this in a divide and conquer mentality because they know if all the people of all races come together and focus on the murder of a citizen by law enforcement not only in this instance but every time someone in law enforcement crosses the line from what should be defending lives in a threatening situation to what is murder of a person who has been subdued and was not a threat and obviously in distress and if the people focus on insuring Justice is done, then law enforcement officers, who have far too often and with increasing frequency are putting themselves above the law will likely no longer be able to do so.
While the average law enforcement officer does conduct themselves within legal boundaries, there are an increasing number of officers who seem to think that laws do not apply to then and that having a badge and gun means they can make up their own laws. This is not the case and we need to come together as a nation and not focus on color. It does not matter what color the cop was not the victim. What matters was the cop knowingly and willingly murdered this man and needs to be held accountable.
I think we need to put protect and serve back on police cars to remind them that they are servants of the people and not gods to do what they want.
It comes down to this… No matter what color, gender, religion or whatever that anyone is, if a person commits murder that person needs to go to jail. It doesn’t matter if there victim is black, white, red, yellow, brown or green with pink polka dots, if a person of any color is murdered the person who committees the murder should go to jail. Kill a human, go to prison., no matter who you work for. No exceptions! Not even for law enforcement or DCFS.
And if anyone takes part in any protests regarding this or anything, please keep in mind that a lot of these demonstrations are turning violent and people are getting injured and killed so please do not bring your children to these demonstrations..