Anaheim Police Assoc. Mobilizing Against Proposed Oversight Commission
The Anaheim Police
Association blasted out this e-mail this morning, asking for recipients to
e-mail the Anaheim City Council to express their opposition to Mayor Tom Tait’s
proposal for a citizens police oversight commission:
Anaheim Mayor Tom
Tait and his supporters are attempting to weaken our police force by
implementing policies and police review procedures that could jeopardize the
safety of Anaheim’s families. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and
the Office of Independent Review already perform independent and objective
reviews of officer-involved incidents.
Don’t let the
Mayor’s hand-picked cronies and City politics get in the way of our public
safety. As citizens of Anaheim, it’s time to take a stand for safer streets,
schools and homes.
Don’t let Tom Tait
take away our strong police force. Attend the February 19 City Council
meeting at 5pm and call or email all 5 of your City Council Members and City
Manager immediately to voice your support for the Anaheim Police Department! There are three ways to help: 1.
Show up to a City Council Meeting and/or contact the City Council below.
2. Visit our website and sign our petition at www.anaheimpa.com 3. Like us on facebook and follow us on Instagram
Call, write or
e-mail the Anaheim City Council to let them know you support public safety.
City of Anaheim
Office of the Mayor and City Council
City Hall, 7th
Floor
200 South Anaheim
Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805
TEL: 714-765-5247
F
AX: 714-765-5164
The draft
structure of a citizens oversight commission hasn’t yet been brough back to the
council for consideration, and so isn’t on tomorrow night’s agenda. But the APA
is wisely gearing up now to generate opposition to it.
In my opinion, a
citizens oversight commission already exists: it’s called the Anaheim City
Council. They were elected, in part, to provide oversight of the police
department. They have to power to set policy and enact reforms in how the
department conducts itself. It’s not as if there is a lack of review when it
comes to allegations of excessive force, unnecessary shootings or other issues.
Just look at the multiple levels of investigation and oversight brought to bear
in the aftermath of the Anna Street shooting. This doesn’t strike me as an
instance where an additional layer of government will serve the public good.