HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-10-14 Press Release - Derek Dieter NEWS RELEASE
December 10, 2014
From: South Bend City Council Members — Derek D. Dieter
Dr. Fred Ferlic
Gavin Ferlic--
Tim Scott
Dr. Davis Varner
Karen L. Whi ,C�
As Vice President of the City Council and Chairperson of Health and Public
Safety, I would like to clarify some statements made in a press release that was
sent out yesterday.
First, protests from South Bend citizens and incidents in other communities are not
the reasons the City Council voted in favor of an amended resolution. These
efforts mentioned are already underway and the council has been working with the
police department and administration and has been reviewing a number of these
items over the past year.
Second, a resolution is a statement of intent. Period. Not a law, not an ordinance,
not a policy. This resolution, as stated by a local minister, is ENCOURAGING the
city administration to, "study,prioritize and discuss" some issues. The statement
that the council approved anything other than this statement Monday night is false;
the council agreed to continue conversations that are already underway between
community members, the police department, the administration, and council. The
Council agreed to hold discussions, not make policy.
Begin the adoption of new progressive policies to change the way policing looks
in South Bend" is not accurate. Again, these are not key changes that will occur;
this is the start of discussion and input from the community. This is not adopting
any progressive policies. This is a discussion.
Members of the South Bend City Council have been working on a minority
recruitment plan since police negotiations, and that was a priority from both the
FOP and the Council negotiating team. Minority recruitment has been a staple of
the SBPD since I was hired in 1975. Paul Harvey, to Span Mitchem, to John and
Norval Williams, Lynn Coleman, John Collins, Darryl Boykins, Mattie Taylor and
dozens of African American officers have worked continually to hire minority
recruits.
The South Bend Police Department has been testing and working on a policy for
body cameras for over a year, and is still gathering information on that issue.
The Board of Public Safety is a citizen review board of 5, consisting of 3 African
American males, one Hispanic female and one White male.
The council has worked hard and will always communicate with citizens for the
"Betterment of the Community."
Contact: Derek D. Dieter— 532-2200