Why wait for chaos?

[caption id="attachment_15579" align="alignleft" width="300"] Terry Bankert (left) and Sam Riddle[/caption] By Attorney Terry Bankert and Sam Riddle, J.D. Special to the Michigan Citizen What should responsible citizens do in the future to voice their objections to what may be a wrongful use of police deadly force? Beyond the “protest” on the street, immediately take your demand for police accountability to the president, the Congress and appropriate local units of government. Enough is enough. Multiple instances of excessive police use of deadly force has created a firestorm of protest, debate and violence with no clearly delineated policy on employment of deadly force by police. Now is the time to act. The police receive federal funds and even militarization gear from our federal government and should be compelled to submit to new law enforcement accountability per federal legislation or executive order. When the police kill, we need federal intervention/legislation to do the following:

• Local prosecutors will not make the decision to charge a police officer who kills any citizen — a U.S. attorney does;
• State courts will no longer hear these cases — a federal panel will;
• A Department of Justice investigation is required with a short deadline in all instances when police use deadly force;
• A national ombudsman is appointed to review and comment on federal compliance with these requirements. Later, to create local change, take the issue to the City Council chambers (or its equivalent such as a county commission for a sheriff, depending on the police force.)
• Demand that there be a written policy statement on the use of deadly force for each local police department. A well-written policy on use of deadly force that enables citizens to measure police actions when deadly force is employed.
• Demand to know what the current guidelines for use of deadly force is and examine written guidelines if any exist.
• Demand criterion for use of deadly force with a factually specific report to the legislative body overseeing the department whenever police kill a citizen.
• Demand an annual public hearing on that policy wherein the Police Department demonstrates to citizens it has an effective policy and training on proper use of deadly force that it enforces throughout its ranks.

Understand that we need our police that do place their lives on the line 24/7. You must work with your police department in a respectful manner to successfully implement these life saving measures and respect is a two-way street. Attorney Terry Bankert is a former Flint, Mich., municipal ombudsman who investigated police brutality claims. Sam Riddle, J.D. is political director of National Action Network Michigan Chapter, and may be contacted at facebook.com/sam.riddle or twitter.com/samriddle.