Why do we need police review boards to oversee local law enforcement agencies? Because as Eric Garner's July 17 death in Staten Island shows, body cameras aren't enough. This is how Wisconsin passed its first-in-the-nation law mandating outside review of all deaths in police custody, after 21-year old Michael Bell, Jr. was shot outside his house in front of a crowd of witnesses, including his mother and sister.
We must pass laws like this nationwide, because our increasingly militarized police need more transparency and rules of restraint. Without them, police will continue losing the confidence of the communities they are supposed to serve and protect. As Michael's father says, "if police on duty believe they can get away with almost anything, they will act accordingly."
#ericgarner #policethepolice #injustice #blacklivesmatter
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