Like many communities across the country, police reform is an important topic being discussed by local government officials including in Ann Arbor. WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Lisa Jackson, chair of the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission in Ann Arbor, which is looking into its own ideas for how that should be done.
Jackson addressed Ann Arbor City Council members Monday night saying, "We are all here today because we want to create a better future for everyone in our community. But it is also my responsibility, both as the chair of this committee and as a Black woman who has seen what this country can do to people who look like me, to remind you that we all carry the past with us, and that the weight of what has happened requires that you now share in that painful, painful burden if you want to move forward."
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylorand several council members sponsored a resolution to have the city’s Independent Community Police Oversight Commission — a citizen-led body appointed by council — lead a multi-stakeholder, data-driven review of public safety services and report back with recommendations.
The resolution asks for a report back in 18 months, and Jackson said the commission feels action needs to be taken now, not during that time frame. They are meeting Tuesday evening (June 16) at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and are looking for citizen input into what should be done to reform and investigate the Ann Arbor Police Department.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
