Here in Toppenish, Washington, we have a significant problem regarding police brutality, use of excessive force, harassment, racial profiling, discrimination -- to the point of racism, by the Toppenish Police Department. It is not only happening within the city limits, but is also alleged to be occurring inside the city jail. I recently talked to JoDe Goudy, the Chairman of the Yakama Tribal Council about this issue, and he assured me that it was being investigated; however, there are still complaints, and eyewitness accounts of Toppenish Police Officer Perez and other officers tasing incapacitated (drunk) persons, jumping on the backs of their necks with their knees, using MMA style elbow strikes, and hammer fists on people.. who are not resisting arrest, but are assaulted none the less. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I for one cannot stand idly by while anyone in this community, drunk, sober, or just being NDN in public is tased and beaten down. Under the 1994 Crime Bill, the he U.S. Justice Department has the authority to conduct investigations and file civil suits against law enforcement agencies that engage in a pattern or practice of misconduct; which includes use of force policies, procedures for reporting and investigating allegations of misconduct, and training to ensure that the conduct of officers meets constitutional standards; changes to handle police misconduct complaints,procedures that ensure comprehensive investigations into citizen complaints of police brutality and other serious misconduct; and policies to address allegations of racial discriminatory policing. --- Nika Wussah~Bear Chief.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 17:09:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015