500 signatures reached
To: Bakersfield City Council
End Police Violence in Kern County
Demand that Bakersfield City Council create an Office of Independent Review, that will:
* Conduct impartial investigations into all officer involved shootings, so that Kern County law enforcement agencies don’t investigate themselves.
* Be an independent commission made up of residents selected by the community and include people that have been impacted by police brutality.
* Create a plan to reallocate existing police department funds to other agencies to provide trauma services for victims of police brutality and their families.
* Suspend and Modify the K-9 programs for KCSO and BPD.
Why is this important?
Kern County Law Enforcement (Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff Office) were declared the most violent police force in the entire country in 2015. 65% of those shot and killed by Bakersfield Police are Latinos, even though Latinos only make 45% of the City.
Earlier this month the ACLU released a report highlighting the patterns and practices of violating civil rights. Additionally, there is an ongoing Department of Justice Investigation into both the KCSO and BPD to get to the bottom of this.
We in Kern County need change and we need it now! That change must start with accountability! Please help us make this a reality in Kern County.