University City, San Diego; statement from Council President Pro Temp Barbara Bry: Today I was proud to vote “Yes” on two resolutions that move forward a charter amendment for November 2020 to create a Commission on Police Practices, a measure that is pro-community and necessary in building trust between our residents and our police officers.
Thank you to my colleague Councilmember Monica Montgomery, Andrea St. Julian, San Diegans For Justice, Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association and Women Occupy San Diego for your persistence in bringing this ballot measure forward. As an advocate for accountability and transparency in government, I have been a supporter of this measure since Women Occupy introduced me to it in 2018. This commission makes sense — an independent oversight body should have its own legal counsel as well as subpoena power, the ability to hire independent investigators, and independence from the mayor’s office.
While today’s vote created the potential for a new entity with principles and powers our current community review board lacks, it isn’t the sole answer to the complex issues we face regarding disparate treatment by law enforcement based on race.
Today’s vote was a step in the right direction. Independent oversight is long overdue and will help build momentum towards restoring trust, not just in law enforcement, but in our local government as well. The City Council will vote to formally place this measure on the November ballot at our July 7 meeting.
Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry represents San Diego City Council District 1, which includes the communities of Carmel Valley, Del Mar Heights, Del Mar Mesa, La Jolla, Pacific Highlands Ranch, Torrey Hills, Torrey Pines, and University City.
For more information, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd1
For related posts from UCCA, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/category/sdpd/
