Consent decrees important to protect people

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has asked for a review of all consent decrees entered into with police departments (intent to close them) believing they constitute government over-reach and the federal government should not be involved in how police departments operate.

Holding police departments accountable with a consent decree for unconstitutional practices is commonly a last resort remedy for civil rights violations, racial bias, and excessive force. This is not government over-reach – it is a safety net.

Consent decrees require corrective actions within a specific time frame. Reorganization, training, education, policy revisions, personnel actions, et cetera are required to improve law enforcement and community relations, which benefit/protect us all.

Ironically, the AG has taken this action when so many cities have high-profile problems regarding racial profiling and excessive force. Police departments that have their mission firmly up front should welcome a review of practices, and advice, to do a better job of community relations. I fully support our city’s finest, but sometimes people and their actions go awry.

I urge you to speak out against the Attorney General’s push to do away with these consent decrees. The American public deserves to know there are remedies for civil rights violations. We need to know the federal government has our back.

Vaughn A. Blethen

Moses Lake