Photo by John Carroll
Above: Rev. Shane Harris of the People’s Association For Justice Advocates (center) is accompanied by Bishop Cornelius Bowser (right) and Yusef Miller of the North County Equity & Justice Coalition (left) on June 10, 2021.
Rev. Shane Harris of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates said Thursday that law enforcement in San Diego County needed serious reform.
He said his organization would soon make policy proposals on how to do this. His group is working on what they see as abusive and discriminatory policing in San Diego County.
In April Harris sent a letter to the Sheriff’s Department asking for information on MPs who had complained of violence. The sheriff’s department replied a few days later.
In a press conference on Thursday, he said the idea was to eradicate bad apples.
“We’re chasing the next Derek Chauvin, and it only takes one. Minneapolis showed us that, “said Harris.
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Reported by John Carroll
He asked for three pieces of information. First, how many MPs currently employed had two or more persistent, ie confirmed, cases of violence on their files. The sheriff’s records date back to 1995.
In its response, the department said three MPs had two or more persistent violations.
Next, Harris wanted to know how many MPs had two or more unfounded claims against her.
The answer – 31 MPs were the subject of two or more unsubstantiated allegations.
Harris then asked how many MPs from each category had been involved in a proxy shootout. The answer – one from the maintained group and one from the unfounded group.
At the press conference, Harris said the sheriff’s response was unsatisfactory.
“We believe there is a bias because it is like a teacher grading their own work … and this is certainly confirmed by alternates still working in the department,” he said.
Harris also criticized the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB). The group conducts its own investigations into incidents involving the use of force. Harris said the group was toothless and needed reform.
Harris said it was about making serious policy changes. He said taxpayers should support change because they are hooked when the local government has to pay debts.
“We have to get rid of the bad apples to save our democracy and humanity and the dollars and lives of our taxpayers,” said Harris.
The Sheriff’s Department had no comment on Harris’s allegation that it was biased in handling complaints against MPs.
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John Carroll
General contract reporter & anchor
I’m a general operations reporter and Saturday morning radio host for KPBS. I love coming up with ideas for stories that aren’t covered anywhere else, but I’m also ready to cover the breaking news of the day. Additionally, I bring you the local headlines on Saturday morning during the weekend edition of NPR.
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