Independent Police Auditor Proposal Rejected

Independent Police Auditor Proposal Rejected
By Mike Rhodes

Alan Autry, the Republican mayor of Fresno, brought two proposals for an Independent Police Auditor (IPA) before the City Council today. Telling the council that he is “tough on crime” and detailing his total support for the Fresno Police Department, mayor Autry made a strong push for his IPA proposals. The mayor’s IPA proposals, which didn’t receive much support from community groups, police associations, or the public, would have led to the IPA issue being put before city voters in the June primary election.

The mayor’s first proposal was for a Charter amendment to City voters relating to the Office of Independent Police Auditor. Fresno COPWATCH, whose members have been active on the IPA, issued a statement on this proposal. Fresno COPWATCH’s statement said “the Mayor by proposing this resolution is unable to comprehend the need for a truly Independent Police Auditor. The proposal of having the IPA report to the City Mangers office (who also has the police chief under his office) is an offer of false hope to the community. He is attempting to undermine the work of the Central California Criminal Justice Committee (CCCJC) who have struggled for over six years to bring independent police accountability to Fresno.” This proposal was rejected by the City Council.

Fresno COPWATCH, was also critical of the second resolution by the mayor’s office. That resolution would have submitted an advisory measure to City voters relating to the Office of Independent Police Auditor. Fresno COPWATCH’s statement said they were concerned that “the misspending of taxpayers money by putting this issue on the ballot without prior information being provided to the public is flawed from the inception. Fresno COPWATCH recommends that the City Council set up Town Hall meetings in each district to discuss this item prior to submitting it to the ballot box. The Community has a right to understand the pros and cons of having an Independent Police Auditor in the City of Fresno prior to being asked to vote whether we need one or not.” Their statement concluded “lets not waste taxpayer’s money without taking into account the need to inform the city’s residents right to know.”

Sheila Chandler, a spokesperson for the Fresno Police Officers Association (FPOA), gave an impassioned plea for why Fresno does not need an IPA. Chandler said “We already have an Independent Police Auditor - it is the City Council, the mayor, the FBI, and the District Attorney.” Chandler said that an IPA who reported to the City Manager would not be independent. There was a representative from the Fresno County Deputy Sheriffs Association and another representative from the FPOA who spoke against the very concept of having an independent auditor to hold the police accountable. Chuck Riojas, who is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 100 and a candidate for Fresno City Council district 1, said he too was against having an IPA.

Gloria Torres spoke in favor of the IPA, although it was not clear she was supporting the mayor’s proposal. She said the city must do something about “racial profiling and police brutality.” Torres said that the police are targeting minorities, impounding their cars, taking their licences and charging them money to get these items back. The Rev Floyd Harris, who is a member of Fresno COPWATCH and CCCJC supported the concept of having an IPA and called on the city council to pass a proposal based on the San Jose model.

Council member Cynthia Sterling made numerous attempts to pass a motion in support of the proposal to put the issue before the voters. Finally, council member Tom Boyajian seconded a proposal to put the issue on the June ballot. Both Sterling and Boyajian made a strong argument for allowing the voters to decide the issue. Larry Westerlund, the newest member on the City Council, said that the voters in his district had elected him to make these hard decisions and he felt it would be wrong for him not to do his job. Westerlund argued that not only should the City Council once again reject this proposal, but the residents of his district should not have an opportunity to vote on the issue. Westerlund’s logic persuaded a 5/2 majority to reject the IPA proposal and prevent the issue from going before the voters. Sterling and Boyajian voted for the proposal to put it before the voters. Perea, Westerlund, Dages, Duncan, and Calhoun voted against the IPA proposal.

What’s next? See: http://cccjc.org/home/ or go to there next regularly scheduled CCCJC meeting:

3rd Thursday of every month
6:30 PM
Central California Criminal Justice Committee is meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1564 North Van Ness ( Southeast corner of McKinley and Van Ness).

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