Black police officers in western Pa. say accountability is the biggest issue that needs fixed

ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — Black police officers from a number of police departments in and outside of Allegheny County came together Thursday to express their outrage over the death of George Floyd.

During the meeting, several officers spoke about the struggles they face on the force and what needs to change.

If you want to receive Allegheny County news alerts, please download our WPXI News App. You can also follow WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people marched in downtown Pittsburgh for the sixth straight day of protests following Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

The general manager of WAMO100 organized this discussion between black officers, detectives and a police chief from five different police departments in the Allegheny County area.

The common theme during the discussion was a lack of accountability.

“There’s officers out here walking around here right now with 40, 50 complaints. The problem is it hasn’t been addressed. There’s no accountability for the things they are doing out here,” one officer said.

The officers also said they don’t keep quiet when they see racial injustices on the force. Officers report it, but they said it could cost them.

The group said black officers need more support when reporting issues, and more black men and women are needed in police departments.

“One of things that we are proud of in Wilkinsburg is that you do have a diverse reflection of our community. Our police chief is black. You have a black major, black detectives, sergeants ... so that you build that community trust,” the mayor of Wilkinsburg said.

On Thursday, Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced his efforts, along with help from a number of law enforcement officials, to bring about necessary changes in policing.

You can read his full statement below:

"After listening to the community and law enforcement leaders, I saw there was common ground on this issue and worked to bring people together,” said Attorney General Shapiro. "Millions are peacefully demanding change in our country and we need to show them we’re listening. This is a down payment on the kinds of reforms we need to deliver, and I’m calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation. Community trust is vital for law enforcement, but trust is built through listening and then acting.”

The group today issued the following joint statement, “Officers who engage in misconduct or use excessive force erode trust in law enforcement and make it harder for our communities to be and feel safe. When they leave an agency, or retire in lieu of termination, that record needs to go with them. We stand united in calling for reform of the hiring process so that law enforcement agencies have the information to make informed decisions about the personnel they hire.”

When a hiring law enforcement agency calls an officer’s previous employer to inquire about that officer’s history, they are typically unable to obtain information about complaints against an officer or any disciplinary issues. Because of this, records are sometimes not even requested. As such, departments are blind to a prospective employee’s history, even when misconduct or a pattern of excessive use of force has been documented.

To remedy this, the General Assembly should pass legislation to require law enforcement agencies to keep detailed personnel records that include all substantiated complaints, as well as the reason and circumstances surrounding the separation of each officer. These records would be filed in a registry maintained by an appropriate law enforcement entity. Before hiring an officer, law enforcement agencies would be required to search the database and review the records of any officer before making an offer of employment.

This group is supporting legislation to accomplish this reform, versions of which have already been introduced in both the House and Senate by Rep. Chris Rabb and Sen. Jay Costa, respectively.

Interdepartmental police hiring reform has been called for by experts and grassroots community groups as well as the State Legislature Police Reform Working Group, and has recently been introduced at the federal level. "

Former FBI assistant director says Derek Chauvin should have never been hired as police officer Former FBI assistant director says Derek Chauvin should have never been hired as police officer

© 2020 Cox Media Group