Almost a dozen community activists called for Baltimore residents to work with the police department to create positive changes after a U.S. Department of Justice report found Baltimore police routinely violated the civil and constitutional rights of the city's residents.
The group gathered across from police headquarters downtown Friday "to make sure the Baltimore city police department is a model for the country," said Derrick Chase, who heads a group called Stand Up Baltimore. He was joined by Cortly "C.D." Witherspoon of the People Power Assembly, Joshua Harris, the Green Party mayoral nominee, and others.
The group drafted a 24-point plan they plan to release Tuesday, which they hope the police department will implement as federal and city officials negotiate court-enforceable reforms.
"We are going to outline where it needs to go," Chase said.
One of the highest priorities, he said is creating "a community oversight board," which will allows members of the public to manage and create a policy of how police departments operate. That board would also help choose a police commissioner, and would play a role in disciplining officers.
"Any violation that happens within the police department, the civilian review board would be a part of any disciplinary actions that come as a result," Chase said.
Witherspoon noted the proposals would require local and statewide legislation, as well as, "requires for the citizens of this city of be actively involved and engaged."
Witherspoon continued, "This is an opportunity for the citizens in this city to really chart the course for good quality policing" to ensure all Baltimore citizens are treated with "dignity and respect."
Harris said the report offers an opportunity to create change, and make Baltimore and example that others can follow — "a community-centered model" for policing.
Harris said the changes are long overdue.
"As a young man in Baltimore city, we knew what was happing. The individuals who were writing the checks for police brutality, year after year in Baltimore city, knew what was happening. Unfortunately it took a Department of Justice report to showcase to the world what was happening," Harris said.
"We want to show we can be better," he said.
twitter.com/janders5