Black Alliance of Thurston County Celebrates Work, Progress

Above: Dr. Karen Johnson, center, acknowledged the collective power of many individuals at the second annual founding celebration of the Black Alliance of Thurston County at Risen Faith Fellowship Church on Saturday afternoon. Left to right: Nat Jackson, Dr. Thelma Jackson, Barbara Clarkson (hidden behind Johnson), Rev. Charlotte Petty, Clinton Petty, Crystal Chaplin, Andre Thompson, and, standing with the assistance of a walker, Bryson Chaplin.

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Community singing, thoughtful commentary, powerful testimony, and good food was plentiful at the second annual Black Alliance of Thurston County founding celebration at Risen Faith Fellowship Church on Saturday afternoon.

“It doesn’t take an awful lot of people to get a lot of work accomplished, but it does take a lot of heart,” said Dr. Karen Johnson, chair of the Alliance, who served as mistress of ceremonies for the event.

While the westside shooting of two, young African Americans, Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, by an Olympia police officer in May 2015 was the catalyst for the group's formation, their work with law enforcement and the community has taken on a life of its own with a lot of effort and hard work by many individuals.

Special awards were given to Kathy Baros Friedt and Leslie Cushman, for their efforts organizing the Olympia Coalition for the Reform of Deadly Force Laws, the YWCA of Olympia’s Stand Against Racism efforts, Senator Karen Fraser and Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts, and Olympia High School’s African American Alliance, which has held several conversational meetings about race.

Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpoint, who was not in uniform, addressed community questions and concerns about the crisis training and psychological testing of police officers, progress regarding fair and impartial policing, and how training about implicit bias can be effectively measured.

In law enforcement for over 30 years, Pierpoint acknowledged that police officers are dealing with difficult, community issues.

“We, as law enforcement, are being tasked with things we should not be. We are not mental health professionals, we’re not drug addiction professionals, we’re not marital counselors, we’re not homelessness experts, but that is who gets called. We are being tasked with things that the community should be dealing with, and it’s not happening. That’s why 30 percent of our jails hold those with mental illness who do not belong there,” Pierpoint said to a round of applause. 

Pierpoint also gave recent examples in which officers have used de-escalation techniques when responding to a call, but described how those incidents don’t get recognized or acknowledged in the media.

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Erin Jones gave a powerful, personal talk about education and her first experiences with racism, and Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall spoke about voting and the importance of civic engagement. 

Hall assured the audience that vote tabulation is a safe and transparent process in Thurston County and across the country. She said there are nearly 175,000 registered voters in Thurston County, a record high. She also expects an 80 to 85 percent turnout rate in Thurston County. Ballots will start to be scanned on Monday. 

Part of the work of the Black Alliance resulted in the eventual passage of a bill that created the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing. That group's final meeting, which will include proposed recommendations to the governor, is November 21, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., John L. O’Brien Building, House Hearing Room A, at the Capitol Campus.

Among other activities, beginning in February 2017, the Black Alliance will collaborate with The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) and The United Churches of Olympia to host a monthly film series and conversations about race. Films will be held the third Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., at the OUUC Sanctuary, 2315 Division St. NW, Olympia.

Perhaps the most poignant part of the afternoon, moving some to tears, was witnessing Bryson Chaplin standing, and then walking to the stage with the assistance of a walker, to be recognized with his family. Bryson still has the officer’s bullet lodged near his spine.

“This is a celebration of what faith and love and hope and determination can do,” said Johnson.

“I just want to say he came in a wheelchair, I prayed for him after church….Oh, give thanks up to the Lord for He is good,” praised Rev. Charlotte Petty.

For more photos and information about the Black Alliance of Thurston County, Karen Johnson, the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing, the Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations, Andre Thompson, Bryson Chaplin, and local groups working for racial justice, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search engine.

For more information about the Black Alliance of Thurston County, go to www.blackalliancethurston.org.

Above: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Erin Jones greets Drs. Sherman and Eve Beverly of Olympia at the second annual founding celebration of the Black Alliance of Thurston County on Saturday afternoon, where Jones gave a powerful, personal talk about education and her first experiences with racism.

Deadly Force by Law Enforcement Bill Passes House

Above: Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu (D-32) sits in the House Floor Chamber just before 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The House convened at 9:00 a.m., but immediately adjourned to caucus. Ryu prime sponsored HB 2908 that would create a task force to review current laws, practices and policies regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement. The bill passed out of the Washington State House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon on a 98-0 vote. The bill now goes to the Senate.

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2908, which will create a task force to review current laws, practices and policies regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement, passed out of the Washington State House of Representatives on Tuesday on a 98-0 vote.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Cindy Ryu (pronounced Ree-oo), (D-32), creates a joint legislative task force on the use of deadly force in community policing.

Parts of HB 2907, a bill written and promoted by the Black Alliance of Thurston County, were rolled into Ryu's bill on February 5 in the House Public Safety Committee. 

As the bill continued on its journey to the floor, amendments were added to refine the membership of the task force. As a result, representatives of the Northwest Immigration Rights Project, the Latino Civic Alliance, the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs, and liberty organizations were added.

“We are one step closer to creating a statewide culture that garners public trust, honors the role of law enforcement to justifiably maintain public safety, and creates accountability when they unnecessarily cross this line. We can only pray that our Senators value these same principles and pass this bill," said Dr. Karen A. Johnson, chair and co-founder of the Black Alliance of Thurston County.

ESHB 2908 will create a task force with a broad coalition including legislators, law enforcement, representatives from the criminal justice system, and members of advocacy organizations.

The task force will meet at least four times in 2016 and review current laws, practices and training programs regarding the use of deadly force, look at alternatives, and submit recommendations on what changes should be made to provide better protection for community members and law enforcement.

Speaking in support of the bill, Representative Brad Klippert, (R-8), thanked Representative Ryu, and law enforcement officers for their service.

“….I sincerely want to thank each and every one of my brothers and sisters who serve us in our communities and keep us safe….It's an extremely tough job that unless you've walked a mile in those shoes, you'll never understand the split-second decisions that they have to make over and over and over again. Obviously we always want to treat our citizens with fairness, with transparency, and with reasonableness….This is a good, reasonable bill….We want to have the best law enforcement agencies in the world right here in Washington State. I think we already have that, but if we can make it better, we want to do that….” said Klippert.

Representative Sam Hunt (D-22) extended his appreciation to the Black Alliance of Thurston County for all their efforts.

Tuesday was the last day bills could be heard in their house of origin. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Upcoming:

The Olympia Police Department and Black Alliance of Thurston County invites the community to gather on Wednesday, March 2 from 6:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the Commons at Capital High School, 2707 Conger Avenue NW, Olympia, to engage each other in conversation around institutional and structural racism.

“If you choose to attend, we will invite you to engage in conversations that create ownership, evoke commitment, value dissent, and treat each person as the gift they are. We will create awareness about what institutional and structural racism mean and, then, invite a few people to speak about their own experience, acting on the well-being of the whole community. You will be asked to engage in active listening as these brave souls tell their story. After the stories are told, we will invite you to contribute to conversations about the larger communal possibilities that have the potential to shift our collective experience,” said Karen Johnson in a press release.

Johnson recommends reading: http://madison365.com/index.php/2015/09/03/what-no-one-wants-to-talk-about-race-and-progressive-cities/

For more information about community conversations about racism, the Olympia Police Department, the Black Alliance of Thurston County, Karen Johnson, the City of Olympia’s Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations, body cameras, HB 2907 and HB 2908, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com, and type key words into the search button.

Police Deadly Force Bill Has Number, Community Policing Bill Also Introduced

Two bills were introduced to the Washington State Legislature on Wednesday. One would amend Washington State law governing the use of deadly force by law enforcement, and the other would establish a joint legislative task force on community policing standards.

Above: Artwork made of welded metal and found objects by John Vanek entitled Justice For All was gifted to the City of Olympia and is installed at the Lee Creighton Justice Center, the site of Olympia's former city hall. 

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Proposed legislation to amend Washington State law governing the use of deadly force by law enforcement was introduced Wednesday morning to the Washington State Legislature as HB 2907.

The bill is prime sponsored by Representative Luis Moscoso (D-1), and co-sponsored by five others, including Olympia area Representatives Sam Hunt and Chris Reykdal (D-22).

The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee for a hearing and can be read here:  http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2907.pdf

Community Policing Standards Legislation Introduced

Another bill on Wednesday was introduced, HB 2908, that establishes a 13 member joint legislative task force on community policing standards. Representative Cindy Ryu (pronounced Ree-oo), (D- 32), is the prime sponsor.

The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee and can be read here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2908&year=2015.

In part, HB 2908 reads, “The legislature acknowledges that officers are often placed in harm’s way and must make decisions quickly while under extreme stress. Although regrettable in every case, the use of deadly force may sometimes be necessary to protect the safety of others. The legislature also recognizes that both the people of this state and law enforcement officers themselves rely on and expect accountability, the failure of which damages the public trust in those who serve the public honorably and with compassion.

“The legislature finds that the law of deadly force in Washington provides absolute protection for law enforcement in virtually all instances, above and beyond that which is reasonable and justifiable....It is the intent of the legislature to improve our deadly force law….”

The bill proposes to create the joint legislative task force to review known data regarding the use of deadly force by officers, review proposals and modifications to RCW 9A.16.040, evaluate the availability of body cameras and similar tools, review current police training curriculum and practices, evaluate public confidence in community policing practices and use of force policies in Washington and produce a preliminary report on its findings to Governor Jay Inslee by December 1, 2016.

Karen Johnson, chair of the Black Alliance of Thurston County, was pleased today about the introduction of the two bills.

“The Black Alliance of Thurston County sees supporting both bills as an opportunity because, as we know, changing the use of deadly force law is the strong foundation upon which all of the other systemic changes (data collection when civilians die at the hand of police officers, body cameras, implict/explicit bias, de-escalation training and the like) is built,” said Johnson.

“Let us build a strong foundation. We believe the more strategic, intentional, and collaborative we can be, the better. Please endorse HB 2907 and HB 2908. As Dr. King said, “the time is always ripe to do right,” she said.

According to a press release by the Black Alliance, thirty two local, regional, and statewide organizations to date have endorsed HB 2907: 

A. Philip Randolph Institute, Seattle Chapter, Art Forces, Behavioral Health and Wellness, the Black Student Union of The Evergreen State College (Tacoma Campus), Center for Justice, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Faith Action Network, Families United Against Hate, Interfaith Works, John T. Williams Organizing Coalition, Justice Not Jails, Latino Civic Alliance, League of Women Voters - Thurston County, Mothers for Police Accountability, Olympia Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, Olympia Coalition to Reform Deadly Force, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Point Defiance Aids Projects/North American Syringe Exchange Network, Risen Faith Fellowship, Seattle Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Self Advocates in Leadership, Spokane NAACP, Standing Up to Racism, Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, The Arc of Washington State, The Justice Coalition of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, The United Churches of Olympia, Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Washington State Independent Living Council, Washington State National Organization for Women, and the YWCA Olympia.

Editor's Note, January 28: HB 2907 was going to the Judiciary Committee as originally stated in this article. It was then referred to the House Public Safety Committee. For up to date information and to track all bills, go to www.leg.wa.gov

For more information about the journey to this proposed legislation, the Black Alliance of Thurston County, the City of Olympia’s Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations, body cameras, and other police related issues in Olympia, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com, and type key words into the search engine.

For more information about the Black Alliance of Thurston County, contact Dr. Karen Johnson at blackalliancethurstoncounty@gmail.com.

Where is Police Excessive Force Bill?

Above: The Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia on Friday. As daffodils begin to burst forth in the warm late January sunshine, organizers with the Black Alliance of Thurston County are wondering why their proposed legislation to clarify deadly force by law enforcement officers has not yet been introduced.

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

What’s taking so long? Draft legislation that proposes to change the law governing the use of deadly force by law enforcement in Washington State has not yet been introduced.

Little Hollywood first wrote about this story on Monday, January 18, http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com/2016/01/changes-to-police-excessive-force-law.html

Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu (pronounced Ree-oo), (D-32) was expected to be the prime sponsor and introduce the bill last week. 

On Friday, Little Hollywood was informed by Ryu's assistant that Representative Ryu decided earlier in the week not to prime sponsor the bill, and that Representative Luis Moscoso (D-1) was going to sponsor it. Attempts by Little Hollywood to meet or speak with Representative Moscoso on Friday were unsuccessful.

Black Alliance of Thurston County organizers are calling upon Speaker of the House Frank Chopp to allow the legislation to be sponsored and referred to a committee. 

The organization spearheaded the effort to clean up language in the current law under RCW 9A.16.040 and provide clarity when the use of deadly force is justifiable. They say that the main goal is to make sure the use of deadly force is used in the context where the risk to the officer or public is imminent and the use of deadly force is necessary.

 

The new language says, “The use of deadly force by a public officer, peace officer, or person aiding is justifiable when the officer reasonably believes that there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or to a third party and that the deadly force is necessary to prevent it….”

Several phrases are stricken from the law that may cause an officer to be unclear in such a situation. 

The phrase that an officer “shall not be held criminally liable for using deadly force without malice and with a good faith belief that such act is justifiable” is also deleted. That phrase is used in Washington State as a defense against prosecution of an officer when the police officer uses deadly force. The phrase is replaced by "reasonably believes" which is a phrase found in the statutes of other states.

“Such clear guidance will benefit both law enforcement officers and the communities they protect, and will result in a law that upholds the role of law enforcement to maintain public safety and foster accountability and public trust,” says the proposed legislation.

February 5 is the cutoff deadline for bills to be heard in their house of origin.

Changes to Police Excessive Force Law Proposed by Black Alliance of Thurston County

Above: As Governor Jay Inslee waits to speak, Dr. Karen Johnson, chair of the Black Alliance of Thurston County, speaks at Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Olympia. Nat Jackson, far left, a member of the Black Alliance of Thurston County, was the master of ceremonies. The Black Alliance of Thurston County has spearheaded the writing of state legislation that would change the law governing excessive use of deadly force by law enforcement in Washington State. 

Just before Dr. Karen Johnson was to speak in the Rotunda, the voice of Governor Inslee came over the public address system. Inslee was apparently giving a speech elsewhere in the building and the mechanical systems became crossed. After at least 15 minutes of interruption to the celebration and unsuccessful attempts to mute Inslee and restore the microphone in the Rotunda, the crowd started chanting, “Black Lives Matter! Black Lives Matter!” 

In an extraordinary turn of events, Reverend Vera Diggins, who had earlier lead the group in the Black National Anthem, lead the crowd in singing several verses of “We Shall Overcome!” The emotional tenor of the crowd changed and the public address system was somehow fixed, allowing Johnson to speak. Then, Governor Inslee, who arrived and was scheduled to speak, began his speech by saying, “The mission of equality cannot be drowned out!” to cheers from the crowd.

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Proposed legislation written and spearheaded by members of the Black Alliance of Thurston County that would change excessive use of deadly force by law enforcement in Washington State has garnered a prime sponsor.

Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu, D-32, has agreed to sponsor the legislation. The bill, which does not have a number yet and is in the process of some last minute refining, would amend RCW 9A.16.040.

The South Sound area was jammed packed with celebrations and service events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday. Dr. Karen Johnson, chair of the Black Alliance of Thurston County, announced the proposed legislation at a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration held at the Washington State Capitol Building.

“We should all feel proud that we are one step closer to having a use of deadly force law that attacks our egregious state law, not the noble law enforcement officers who maintain the public safety of all Washingtonians,” said Johnson.

“There’s widespread recognition that our justifiable homicide statute is broken because it sets a higher bar than any other state in prosecuting officers who use deadly force without justification. Amnesty International calls Washington State’s law regarding use of deadly force as the “most egregious” in the nation. 

“The Black Alliance of Thurston County, in coalition and partnership with others…want to start the conversation around this issue….It is the right thing to do at the right time….We can pass a bill that is good for the people, the police, and the prosecutors of Washington State who seek public safety and accountability for all,” said Johnson.

Only Washington State law provides a defense against prosecution when a police officer acts “without malice and with a good faith belief that such act is justifiable.” Malice is defined in law as “evil intent.”

The proposed bill removes a subsection which contains the phrase “without malice and with a good faith belief,” an aspect which makes Washington's statute so unique.

To put Washington State law in line with the recommendations of a June 2015 Amnesty International report, “Deadly Force: Police Use of Lethal Force in the United States,”  the bill also clarifies language regarding use of deadly force against fleeing felons so it is clear that the risk to the officer has to be imminent.

The legislation is expected to be introduced on Tuesday or early this week. 

The bill's sponsor, Senator Cindy Ryu, represents Northwest Seattle, Shoreline, South Edmonds, Woodway, west Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. While serving as a Shoreline City Councilmember, Ryu was elected mayor in 2008, becoming the first female Korean-American mayor in the United States. Serving her third House term in the Washington State Legislature, Ryu is a Deputy Whip and co-chairs the Members of Color Caucus.

The Black Alliance of Thurston County hopes to have the bill passed and signed by Governor Jay Inslee during this short legislative session.

Above: Andre Thompson, middle, wearing hat, and his brother Bryson Chaplin, who was not in attendance at Monday's celebration, and their family was acknowledged and prayed for by Bishop Charlotte Petty of Risen Faith Fellowship. Thompson and Chaplin were shot by an Olympia police officer in May 2015. The officer who shot the brothers was not charged by the Thurston County prosecutor, who used the “without malice and with a good faith belief.....” defense for the officer, indicating that the shooting was justifiable.

Amnesty's Deadly Force Report

The Amnesty International report is primarily based on a state-by-state legislative survey of use of lethal force statutes within the United States.

According to Amnesty International, the United States has failed to track how many people are killed by law enforcement officers. No one knows exactly how many people are killed each year but estimates range from 400 to over 1,000.

Among its other findings:  

African Americans are disproportionately impacted by police killings, according to the limited data available.

The United States has failed to respect and protect the right to life by failing to ensure that domestic legislation meets international human rights law and standards on the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers.

All 50 states and Washington, D.C. fail to comply with international law and standards on the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers.

None of the state statutes require that the use of lethal force may only be used as a last resort with non-violent and less harmful means to be tried first.

No state limits the use of lethal force to only those situations where there is an imminent threat to life or serious injury to the officer or to others.

Nine states, including Washington, allow for the use of lethal force to be used to suppress a riot.

Twenty two states, including Washington, allow for law enforcement officers to kill someone trying to escape from a prison or jail.

Only eight states, including Washington, require that a warning be given, when feasible, before lethal force is used.

Twenty states, including Washington, allow for private citizens to use lethal force if they carry out law enforcement activities.

For more information about the Black Alliance of Thurston County, Karen Johnson, the City of Olympia’s Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations, Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin, and local groups working for racial justice, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com, and type key words into the search button.

For more information about Amnesty International’s report “Deadly Force: Police Use of Lethal Force in the United States,” go to: www.amnestyusa.org/deadlyforce

Above: Names of Black loved ones lost to police violence are written in chalk outside the Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. 

Karen Johnson Seeks Olympia City Council Appointment

 Above: Dr. Karen Johnson of Olympia has announced her application for appointment to the Olympia City Council. File photo. 

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

In a video released at https://vimeo.com/147920545 Dr. Karen Johnson introduces herself to the community and shares why she is seeking appointment to the Olympia City Council. The video is three minutes and twenty-five seconds.

The Olympia City Council is accepting applications for Councilmember Position #4, which will be vacant January 1 due to the election of Cheryl Selby as Mayor. The person who is appointed will serve for approximately 23 months, until the November 2017 General Election results are certified.

Johnson has lived in Washington State since 1997 and in Olympia since 2005. She works for the Washington State Department of Social & Health Services as the agency's Strategic Initiatives Executive.

Johnson is president of the Olympia-Centennial Rotary Club, a co-founder and president of the Black Alliance of Thurston County, a member of the Thurston Thrives Governance Committee.

In the video, she explains that she is an ordained minister, a hospital administrator by training, and has a doctorate in urban management. 

Her focus will be on homelessness, downtown economic development, and fair and impartial policing.

“I see Olympia as a diamond in the rough and the reason why I want to be a city councilmember is so I can help polish this beautiful diamond in the rough. I envision Olympia as a city that is beautiful, productive, and thriving – a place where all its residents want to live and work and play and stay….” says Johnson.

Johnson says her strengths are inspiring trust, working collaboratively, and having good common sense.

In what seems to be an unprecedented approach, Johnson also has a website, www.AppointKarenJohnson.com, urging supporters for her appointment to contact current city council members.  

The annual stipend for the council position is $16,640. Signed applications and required documents must be received by the city council’s assistant at Olympia City Hall, 601 4th Avenue East, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2015.

Interviews will be held at 5:30 p.m. on January 4, 2016, (and January 6, 2016, if needed) in the Olympia City Council Chambers, 601 4th Avenue East. The sessions will be open for public viewing and taped for replay on TCTV.

For more information about the vacancy or to apply, go to www.olympiawa.gov

To read an October 4, 2015 article about Dr. Karen Johnson and the Black Alliance of Thurston County, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type key words into the search button.

Police-Community Ad Hoc Committee Forum Focuses On Social Service Providers

By Janine Gates

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The Ad Hoc Committee for Police and Community Relations held another community forum Monday night to gather information, this time at First Christian Church in downtown Olympia, to hear from area social service providers.

The committee is tasked by the Olympia City Council to receive information from the community about methods for engaging under-represented and minority groups on police practices, and seek input on a preferred process for engaging the public on implementing police-worn body cameras.

About 20 community members and social service provider representatives and volunteers participated, including Interfaith Works, the YWCA, the Crisis Clinic, Community Youth Services (CYS), United Churches of Olympia, PFLAG, Sidewalk, the Salvation Army, Capital Recovery Center, and others. They discussed and provided examples of ways there are levels of collaboration, not competition, that currently exists among organizations.

All members of the Ad Hoc committee were present, as well as three longtime members of the Olympia Police Department.

The evening’s conversation, as at previous forums, asked two questions: What has been your experience with the Olympia Police Department, and how can the Olympia Police Department better serve you? The conversation was followed by small group discussions.

No one shared any stories of direct difficulties with police, and several shared their organization's positive interactions. Others expressed questions and concerns about the May officer-involved shooting of two young African American men in Olympia.

Watching the videos of police activity and shootings in other cities nationwide, Pavel Mikoloski, who lives in unincorporated Thurston County, said he kept thinking, “Thank God we don’t have that…that doesn’t happen in Olympia…we have great police....” Then he described his thoughts when he saw the video of the officer-involved shooting of a man in Pasco. It really upset him, but then he dismissed it.

“….I thought, that’s Eastern Washington, that’s like a different state, that’s a whole different climate over there….And then when this shooting in Olympia happened…it hit too close to home. I thought, ‘Is this systemic? What is going on?’ I know policing is a very difficult job, don’t get me wrong, but I’m really worried. What’s going on? I need some answers….”

Later, in a conversation on how to improve the condition of downtown, he said Olympia needs to attract a major high tech company.

“There’s room downtown for a major tech revival. If that were to happen, then a lot of these social services would be better funded and we could find a better way to help the homeless situation,” he said.

Jessie of the downtown YWCA said she was new to Olympia and has heard many stories from YWCA clients that she would like the police to hear. She says the level of compassion, empathy, and understanding depends upon the officer. She suggested that the police “ride along” with social service providers in much the same way police encourage community members to ride along with them to see what their work day or night is like.

Scott Hanouser, chief executive officer of Community Youth Services, says the agency has over 20 programs that interact with each other, and provide services to about 4,000 youth per year between the ages of 14 to 24. He said that the agency has a positive relationship with the police department.

A resident of the Fleetwood Apartments near Sylvester Park said that when fights break out in the building or when someone is off their medication, the police are polite. 

“I know if I show them respect, I'll get respect...but respect looks different to different people,” she said.

Danny Kadden, executive director of Interfaith Works, which operates the Emergency Overnight Shelter located at First Christian Church, downstairs from the forum’s meeting place, described his organization’s perspectives.

“…On behalf of staff, we are pleased with our interaction with police and have many success stories, however, for every success story, there is a story that we hear about….While I'll add to the praise (such as) the level of responsiveness and the ability to have honest and frank conversations with officers when need be, there are some cases that are troubling…situations that require officers working with severely mentally ill people….I want to work with the department to enhance our capabilities, to enhance training, and preparation for dealing with this populace.”

Kadden described a group of about 30 street folks who met in this same room a few weeks ago to discuss their experiences with police.

“…What they have to say is so important. They have a history of harassment and bad encounters with police. There is so much to talk out. I wish we could replicate that - so much of it interfaces with race…class…trauma….Let’s find a way to talk about the culture of our community, and how different cultures have a hard time communicating, sharing, understanding each other, and I’m also talking about the policing culture….I think we have an opportunity here to grow and mature as a community…to prepare our professionals and those receiving services, who can have some trust that their experiences are valued,” said Kadden. He added that Interfaith Works and the faith community are committed and ready to assist in these efforts.

Committee member Alejandro Rugarcia reported that committee members are meeting with groups or individuals who may not feel comfortable meeting in formal settings. 

Since the forum focusing on Hispanic experiences with police at CEILO in early November, committee members have met with 17 Hispanic individuals who were afraid to speak at or attend the forum, said Rugarcia. He urged those in attendance to reach out to others that the group should hear from but may not feel comfortable attending a forum. He assured the group that the work of the committee will result in positive outcomes.

The committee’s next two, and final, community forums will focus on youth and body cameras, respectively.

To learn more about the Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations, go to www.olympiawa.gov. Future community forums are scheduled for January 18 and February 11, topics, times, and locations to be determined.

Upcoming: The Black Alliance of Thurston County and the Olympia Police Department will cosponsor a community conversation about race, racial bias, and institutional racism on Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at South Sound Manor, 455 North Street, Tumwater. According to the release, the goal is to build trust between communities and to promote fair and impartial policing in Olympia.

To read past stories about the Olympia Police Department, the Ad Hoc Committee on Policing and Community Relations, the May 21 shooting of Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin in west Olympia, the Black Alliance of Thurston County, body cameras, and community conversations around race and implicit bias, go to Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com and type keywords into the search button.

Above: The Ad Hoc Committee on Police and Community Relations held a forum focusing on the police experiences of the Hispanic community on November 5 at CEILO, Centro Integral Educativo Latino de Olympia, (Integral Hispanic Educational Center of Olympia), a local non-profit organization that promotes community, self-sufficiency and leadership of Latinas/os. The Committee also held a forum on October 10, reaching out to the African American community.