CALEA is reviewing the operations of the police department so that it can retain the accreditation that it earned 21 years ago.
Some oppose re-accreditation, saying police mistreat blacks and other minorities.
Bishop Richard Cox, president of the Dayton chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Council and a national board member of the black civil rights organization, said his organization opposes re-accreditation for several reasons.
Among those reasons are the use of excessive force against blacks and minorities; the 140 complaints against police in the past four years; the disrespect by a police captain toward Councilman Archie Johnson; the lack of an internal investigation section; declining diversity training from the NAACP and SCLC; and participation of white police officers, firefighters and city officials in the Monkey Mutual Aid Society, which he called racist.
This is not the first time members of the SCLC have voiced their concerns. For the past month, the group has spoken for Hamilton residents who say they have been treated poorly by the police.
“If there is re-accreditation, you will feel the full force of the National SCLC,” Cox said. “This is ‘Up South’ Hamilton, Ohio.”
Cox said if re-accreditation is granted there will be demonstrations “that will make Selma, Ala., look like a Sunday school picnic.”
After the meeting, Cox said if the police department is reaccredited, the SCLC will have no choice but to do “direct action” such as picketing, protesting and other nonviolent actions.
Cox said he will be meeting with several people to determine the next steps. “I’m tired of meeting,” he said. “We’ll be at (Hamilton City) Council Wednesday to present demands and to outline what community improvements are needed.”
Among those demands are to conduct diversity training developed by the NAACP and the SCLC.
Mayor Pat Moeller praised the work of Hamilton police and said he’s written a letter to Cox suggesting a work session and not podium talk to discuss concerns about the police department.
Herman Hill, who served as president of the Hamilton NAACP branch for eight years, said police won’t respond to calls in the 2nd and 4th Wards.
“Why doesn’t the police chief recruit more black officers?” he asked. “I think we have a lot of cowboys on the police department.”
Hill said he was “accosted” by a police officer who followed him and pulled him over in front of his home after he was talking to someone at the Open Door Pantry.
After being tossed in the back of the cruiser, Hill said he was ticketed for crossing the middle line. He said he filed a complaint but little was done about it.
Bob Harris of the South East Civic Association said his organization doesn’t “want a re-accreditation without an investigation.”
Harris said there have been some instances where police officers were permitted to resign instead of being prosecuted.
Others praised the empathy, compassion and dedication of the police department. Dennis Kurloz, a local entrepreneur who owns several businesses in the city, called the department “second to none.” “I support the Hamilton Police Department for what they do for small business people,” he said.
Cathy Hester, who works with the homeless, commended police efforts in high-crime areas through the federally funded “Weed and Seed” program.
Kay Waldo, who works with the homeless in the city, praised police for their compassion and finding “solutions other than arrest.” “They are willing to learn and help,” she said. “The majority of the police department are good men and they really care about the city.
Prior to public comments, assessor Keith Briggs, a police commander from Elk Grove Village, Ill., said three phone comments were received Monday, all in support of police. He said CALEA will make a decision on whether to re-accredit in March.
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