On Demand
Between Al Sharpton coming to town tonight to speak about the Brandon Johnson case and the “March for Peace” slated for tomorrow around the City-County building, I must take a moment to give credit where credit is due. Some people in this town believe there was an injustice and so they’re stepping up and taking action.
However, like most good causes, their worse enemies are truly themselves. For example, the Black Ministers Alliance, which says says it is the official voice of the African-American Community in Indianapolis, says it wants the following demands met.
- An Internal Affairs Department in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department with civilian oversight and involvement.
- A revamped IMPD Training Academy, not just with minority instructors (including Blacks) but with a curriculum that teaches officers, in the academy and in continuing training, about the complex racial and ethnic community they serve.
- Because of the distrust within the community towards the excesses and negative attitudes of some police officers, there must be Federal Justice Department monitoring of IMPD. Even though the Ballard administration was rolled by the Bush administration and ended IMPD’s efforts to promote and hire qualified minority officers, Indianapolis is still under a federal order. That gives Washington the justification to monitor IMPD and help them end their insensitive ways.
- Finally, to restore trust, terminate all five officers involved in the Brandon Johnson case.
Meanwhile, the “March for Peace” organizers have put out their own list of what they want done…
- For Prosecutor Brizzi not to wait on the completion of the federal investigation, but to immediately bring charges against the officers so the community can get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
- Internal Affairs Department be re-organized to include civilian participation
- Re-organization of the IMPD Training Academy
- Justice Department to get involved in this process
- IMPD work force be more reflective of the community it serves
Like I said, I give these guys credit for their demand list, because what they’re asking for has already been done, for the most part. Here’s what I can tell you…
- The findings in the Brandon Johnson case have already been turned over to the Justice Department and it is reviewing it. Public Safety Director Frank Straub says he will be more than happy to live with whatever decision comes back.
- There are already is civilian oversight of the internal affairs department. It’s called the Mayor and Public Safety Director.
- The department is already reviewing it’s curriculum to add more cultural understanding of all ethnic minorities, not just blacks. It’s looking at the Hispanic community, Chin community and several others. Sorry guys, you’re not special, you’re just like everybody else.
- The department is also looking at more minorities in its ranks, but you can’t compromise excellence for equity. No offense guys but remember back in 2008-09, the skin color of the officers who kept getting in trouble? Who ran the which law enforcement division they came from? Here’s a hint, one of them is running for Sheriff and another for the State Senate.
- The Officer IMPD believes was responsible for the excessive force against Brandon Johnson was relieved of duty. Why would you want to fire someone who didn’t do anything? That doesn’t sound like something Jesus would do?
Now to date, no one has asked for a straight out check, but I guess becuse the individual organizing these guys had told them not to ask for money right now because there will be a payday around the corner. However, I’m sure if the city offered some of these “leaders” cash they would take it.
Remember, you don’t pay a hooker for sex. You pay her to leave.
See you at tonight at Al Sharpton, if it starts on time.
