By Dr. John Warren – Publisher
While the District Attorney is to be praised for the revealing report on the police involved shootings over the last two decades, the document confirmed what many of us already knew, that there have been too many such shootings. There is a pattern between the victims and the shooters in terms of race and the use of lethal force, that has become a first rather than a last course of action in encounters with citizens. On this note the public should be reminded that the State of California was one of the first law enforcement entities over 40 years ago to use institute the teaching of the martial arts as a part of the training for police officers and it was one of the first states to equip officers with nunchucks in addition to the police baton each officer carries. So how do we explain that of the 29 people cited in the report as having no weapons when confronted and killed by police, that 22 of those were killed because of “furtive” movement. It should also be remembered that most of these “stemmed” according to the report from traffic stops or domestic violence.
Having seen this report, the San Diego City Council Committee on Pubic Safety should initiate a series of public hearings on what citizens think should be done in terms of public policy and not leave the correction of this matter to either the police department or other law enforcement agencies who can not be expected to police themselves.
In view of the seriousness of this matter, we would like to here from you, who have too often been the victim or family of victims. You should also know that the Black Men United Committee on Criminal and Social Justice is looking at this and a number of related issues. Your comments and thoughts are important and must be heard. Email us at [email protected]
