The People Policing the Police

Matt Nelson, 08.01.2004 08:57

The People Policing the Police:
Community Justice and Police Accountability

The People Policing the Police:
Community Justice and Police Accountability

*Next Meeting Monday January 12 6:30pm at the Cesar Chavez Action
Center (719 South 6th Street). Call 414/64-LUCHA for more information.*

There are now over 17,000 law enforcement agencies in the United
States, but fewer than 100 independent citizen oversight bodies (Amnesty
International report). We intend to add one more here in Milwaukee!

Attend the next meeting of the Education For The People! Community
Justice and Police Accountability campaign Monday January 12, 6:30pm at the Cesar Chavez Action Center.

Notes from last meeting:
After introductions and an overview of the unlawful arrest and
subsequent actions (as detailed on www.educationforthepeople.org) the group discussed different aspects of an effective independent public oversight body to law enforcement. The projects discussed included:

- Gathering and documenting stories from Milwaukeeans who have
experienced police harassment or violence.
- A community education campaign where we teach each other our rights
with
the police, how to file a complaint with the police and fire
commission,
how to participate in organizing to change city and county law
enforcement
policies, and how to understand the legal processes involved with an
arrest or a complaint.
- Researching the funding of law enforcement initiatives and the
diversion
of funding to community justice or other public support programs.
Also,
researching the connection to Federal law enforcement agendas and their
implementation here in Milwaukee.
- Coordinated public street video and audio surveillance of police
stops
and activities while building city-wide connections (i.e. North and
South
side) with public advocates and other community organizations to track
police activities.
- Building local democracy: placing members of the public onto
decision-making bodies that create, revise, and implement law
enforcement
policy.

Keep Involved! And stay in touch.

It is time in to strengthen public oversight initiatives that can build
positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities
which
they are empowered to serve and protect. Law enforcement is a PUBLIC
ASSET and must serve the needs of the public. If we support safe
neighborhoods and community justice in Milwaukee the reckless abuse of
the
power by law enforcement must be stopped, those at the top who set
police
policy must be held responsible, and our civil rights must be
protected.

At the expense of the public the actions of the Milwaukee’s law
enforcement, much like other US cities, operate without meaningful
public
oversight and without protection of the residents’ civil rights. We
know
too well the consequences of this situation. Unlawful, harassment,
surveillance, arrest, detention, beatings, and killing’s (called
justified
homicides) along with crowded jails, increasing prison population
(currently over 2 million a majority of which are Black). The targets,
victims, and "clients" of the criminal justice system are young Black,
Brown, and poor people – most for non-violent offences. They have our
children and their parents.

Meanwhile, billions of public dollars are moved from education and jobs
programs to fund Homeland Security, Urban Paramilitarism, the Pentagon,
and the prison industry. It is common for Federal Block Grants to
fund
weapon’s upgrades and "consent to search" programs for police that
target
communities of color instead of public schools, healthcare, or housing.
Why as of 2001 are there nine SWAT units in Milwaukee County alone and
why
are public funds used to upgrade the police arsenal instead of our
neighborhoods?

In Respect,
Matt D. Nelson
Executive Director, Education for The People!

If you have any questions, comments or would like to become involved,
please e-mail:  matt.nelson@educationforthepeople.org, or call
414/64-LUCHA
or 414/671-4668 for the story of the arrest goto:
www.educationforthepeople.org. Education For The People! has expanded
its
role as an independent, community-based law enforcement oversight
agency.

Education For The People! is a grassroots, community-based advocacy
organization head quartered in Milwaukee, WI. We are a growing
political
force that addresses issues that have both a local and national impact.
We
directly oppose corporate attempts to privatize, dismantle, and take
over
the public's educational system. We develop and promote policies,
research, and action that improve educational quality for communities
of
color and the poor. Simply put, Education For The People! commits
itself
to dignified public education for all.