The head of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus is calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to create a panel of citizens to be an oversight board in use-of-force incidences involving law enforcement.
Miami Democratic Senator Dwight Bullard says the members of the black caucus dropped off a letter Tuesday to Bondi asking for the creation of the citizen’s oversight committee in all the judicial circuits.
“We need to know if these incidents are impacting people of color, that the Citizens Oversight Panel reflects not only the committees that are being affected, but more importantly the individuals that are being impacted by these acts of violence,” said Bullard.
Bullard says in about 25 years, there has never been an officer charged in use-of-force cases in Florida. And, during a press conference Wednesday, he gave some examples.
“…involving Rodney Mitchell, who was shot following the procedures the officers were asking him to do,” added Bullard. “They asked him to reach into his glove compartment for his information, and when he removed his hand from the steering wheel, was shot, but the officers were found to have done the right thing…”
And, he adds it’s also troubling there is no data on such incidents. Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s office says it has received the letter and is reviewing it.
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