Police Justice & Accountability Subgroup
Vision
Our vision as the Police Justice & Accountability Subgroup is a community where everyone feels safe and respected; with a community driven safety response for prevention, mitigation, and correction of the historically racist impacts of the courts, laws, and system of policing.
Mission
The mission of the Police Justice & Accountability Subgroup is to connect the history of policing and the broader legal system towards present day outcomes for Black residents, and to develop and recommend solutions to address present day harms.
Objectives
(1) Removing Student Resource Officers (SROs) from Providence Public Schools and replacing them with: school culture coordinators or similar structure; restorative justice practices; peer mediation/safety teams; more robust family engagement.
Actions
- The African American Subgroup on Police Justice & Accountability partnered with the Providence Human Relations Commission for a community meeting to discuss student resource officers (SROs) in Providence Public Schools.
- Link to the community meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuBXBB96J8k&feature=youtu.be
- The sub-group also compiled “Three Points,” a document that outlines concerns and potential solutions regarding SROs. These recommendations were submitted to the Mayor’s Policy Office which has drafted an official memo in which has been submitted for review to the Superintendent of PPSD and Mayor Jorge Elorza. Providence School Health Needs Assessment
(2) Implementing the Obama Foundation “8 Can’t-Wait” Policies.
Actions
- The African American Sub-Group on Police Justice & Accountability reviewed the City Use of Force Policy submission form before publicized to maximize community response.
- The African American Sub-Group partnered with the Human Relations Commission and the African American Advisory Group Police Advisory Subgroup for a community meeting to discuss the Providence Police Department’s Use of Force Policy and the Obama Foundation’s Commit to Action. Commit to Action is a campaign that Mayor Elorza signed onto that commits to bringing immediate change to police departments throughout the country.
(3) Increasing Community Engagement and Transparency
Actions
- The African American Sub-Group partnered with the Human Relations Commission for a community meeting to discuss the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. Adopted in 1976, LEOBOR protects officers accused of misconduct from being immediately fired or placed on unpaid leave.
- Looking ahead, the sub-group is interested in lobbying for the support of Representative Anastasia Williams An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.
THREE POINTS: Police Justice & Accountability Subgroup STANCE ON SRO’S
The entire group moves to remove SRO’s completely from schools
THE PROBLEM
Student Resource Officers in Providence Public Schools
THE CONCERN
- SROs in the City of Providence are concentrated in schools that serve large populations of low-income and minority students, contributing to the over-policing of these communities and the school-to-prison pipeline.
- SROs are not a proven method to contribute to a positive climate within schools.
- The vast majority of arrests by SROs in PPSD were made in regards to student misconduct and non-emergency disruptive behavior at school. Arresting students on school premises does not promote the best interests of students, the school system, law enforcement and the community at large.
THE SOLUTION
Remove SROs off the premises of these high schools and have them respond to calls on an as-needed basis.
(1)Create volunteer safety corps made up of members of the community, student leadership and more to improve the culture of violence inside of Providence Public Schools.
(2)Fund Arts, Culture and Theatre opportunities for youth to enhance school culture.
The vast majority of arrests by SROs in PPSD were made in regards to student misconduct and non-emergency disruptive behavior at school. Arresting students on school premises does not promote the best interests of students, the school system, law enforcement and the community at large.
Bring in more funding for social workers, behavioral health specialists and guidance counselors to better help students who are in crisis and in need of mental health and behavioral health supports. PPSD School Assessment Needs
Police Reform Subgroup Meetings and Recordings
(1) COMMUNITY CONVERSATION REGARDING STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICERS
Join the Providence Human Relations Commission and the African American Advisory Group Police Advisory Subgroup for a community meeting to discuss student resource officers (SROs) in Providence Public Schools. We would like to prioritize the voices and experiences of current PPSD students but all are welcome. Spanish translation will be made available.
Tuesday, August 25th 2020
6:00-8:00 PM
(2) COMMUNITY CONVERSATION REGARDING THE POLICE USE OF FORCE POLICY AND THE OBAMA FOUNDATION’S COMMIT TO ACTION
Join the Human Relations Commission and the African American Advisory Group Police Advisory Subgroup for a community meeting to discuss the Providence Police Department’s Use of Force Policy and the Obama Foundation’s Commit to Action. Commit to Action is a campaign that Mayor Elorza signed onto that commits to bringing immediate change to police departments throughout the country. To review the current use of force policy or provide feedback in advance, please see here: https://www.providenceri.gov/mayor-city-services/feedback/ Spanish translation will be made available and all are welcome to attend.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
6:00-8:00 PM
(3) COMMUNITY CONVERSATION REGARDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS (LEOBOR)
Join the Human Relations Commission and the African American Advisory Group Police Advisory Subgroup for a community meeting to discuss the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. Adopted in 1976, LEOBOR protects officers accused of misconduct from being immediately fired or placed on unpaid leave. Spanish translation will be made available and all are welcome to attend.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
6:00-8:00 PM
Policy Reform Subgroup Members
Group Co-Leaders:
Vernon Martin
Group Members:
Representative Anastasia Williams, Angie Leary, Dr. Dannie Ritchie, Elise Swearingen, Herlin Perry, Juan Cameron, LaToya Watts, Nicole DuFresne, Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune, Pamela Hughes, Ray Smith, Regina Clement, Sal Monteiro, Shane Lee and Sherri Bevel.