Arroyo Grande commits to examining police department. ‘The system must change’
Arroyo Grande has committed to taking a closer look at its police department policies and practices, with an eye toward “confronting the systemic racism and inequalities that continue to plague our country.”
Just a few nights after protesters marched through the city, crying out for change in light of repeated police killings of people of color across the United States, the City Council on Tuesday announced plans to examine its police department and explore improvements to its training, accountability and community relations.
“The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other African Americans and people of color have made it clear that we need to confront the systemic racism and inequalities that continue to plague our country,” Arroyo Grande Mayor Caren Ray Russom said, reading from a prepared statement during the council meeting Tuesday.
Ray Russom said the statement was prepared by city staff and the entirety of the council in response to the anti-racism and anti-police brutality protests sweeping the nation, and said it included the sentiments of all five council members.
“As leaders for the city of Arroyo Grande, we feel that silence is complicity,” Ray Russom said. “We must be a part of the solution and this requires action. We must act so that all of our citizens experience the freedom that our Constitution protects. We must act so that no more lives are lost.”
Ray Russom said the City Council will discuss the police department’s current practices and policies at its next meeting on June 23, with an eye toward making changes that would improve the trust and relationship between the law enforcement agency and the public.
As part of its efforts, the city will specifically look at enhanced training for officers in deescalation practices, updated use of force policies and more transparency and accountability when it comes to disciplining officers.
It will also examine ways to “not only continue to diversify police forces, but also to provide more nuanced racially sensitive training,” according to the statement.
“We must also look into methodical, tangible and inclusive ways to restore and further foster a healthy relationship between law enforcement and communities of color who rely and depend on offices of the law to be a model of both both justice and compassion,” Ray Russom concluded. “We have heard you and we will continue listening to the needs being expressed for justice, for inclusivity, for fairness and for safety for all of our citizens.
“The system must change.”
Arroyo Grande Police Chief Beau Pryor also spoke during the meeting, saying the department is committed to listening and making changes to better protect the community at this time.
“The actions of the officers that caused Mr. Floyd’s death have tarnished the entire law enforcement profession. What happened in Minneapolis is not reflective of who we are at the Arroyo Grande Police Department,” he said. “I want each of you to know that your police department is here to listen to you, and we want to work with you to improve our policies and to improve our training, because this will allow us to continue to build community trust and enable us to provide better service to our community.”
The full Arroyo Grande City Council statement is available below:
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