JSO and Community Working to Resolve Problems in Aftermath of Shootings

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Sheriff John Rutherford and community leaders held a news conference Wednesday morning in the aftermath of a series of police shootings.

The same group met Tuesday for two hours to discuss problems between the community and the police, and came out of the meeting agreeing to disagree on certain issues.

What they do agree upon, though, is the need for more openness from the Sheriff's Office regarding policies.

To that end, Sheriff Rutherford has established a web stream for news conferences and review boards, which follow each police shooting.

Rutherford's hope is to make the "actions of police officers more clearly understood."

The sheriff wants to erase the sense within parts of the Jacksonville community that police shootings go uncontested within the department.

Sheriff Rutherford points out that he has recommended the termination of two officers during his tenure, and that his office works closely with the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission.

He feels that more use of the web site (www.coj.net/sheriff) will lead to more openness and will become the best communication tool for letting citizens know that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is being as fair and lawful as possible.

To more specifically address the cause of the police shootings, Rutherford says there isn't an increase in violent crime recently, but rather an increase in the use of guns by suspects, and his goal is to "get these people to lay down their guns."

"Operation Safe Streets was specifically designed to put more officers...between the gun-toting criminals and the citizens," he says of the multi-agency initiative to reduce the murder rate in the city.

Eddie Staton with Mad Dads says there is a feeling in the community that officers are "causing undue stress," and that some people are more worried about the police than the criminals.

He stressed, "This is not an effort against the officers in this city," saying they do a great job, but the problem is perception.

He says everyone needs to do a better job educating the community, and making sure everyone is satisfied that there is transparency and fairness in police procedures.

Staton believes taking those steps will make sure that "citizens all have full confidence that the officers in Jacksonville are doing the best job possible...that's all we're really asking for."

Pastor Mark Griffin agrees, saying that while there are still many points of disagreement between community leaders and police, there meeting was full of respect, and he's "thankful to have a sheriff who's very open to input."

He wants the community to understand that the issues related to police shootings are being discussed, and that people need to know that "we all have our independent opinions...as we learn more and more about the process here as well as other cities."

During their meeting, the men discussed the possibility of a citizen review panel, and looked into how such things are handled elsewhere.

Dr. Michael Hallett, criminology and criminal justice professor at the University of North Florida, spoke out against a citizen review panel, but did offer an alternative.

He feels an external peer review is a better option, having a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement look at each incident. He says that's common in many professions.

Civilians don't know all the rules and technicalities regulating officers' use of force so they can't make accurate determinations, he says, but a fellow law enforcement officer from an outside agency can.

He has an even simpler solution, too. "The number one way to immediately reduce police shootings is to stop shooting at police."

Hallett says we are a tale of two cities, divided by race and poverty, but that dialog is underway, and, "No matter what we do, not everyone will agree."

Sheriff Rutherford wants to make sure that whatever is decided, the officers know they will be treated fairly and with the law, not politics, determining their fate.

He says that when he hears a report of an armed robbery, he wants his officers rushing to the scene, not waiting until it's over because they're worried about political fallout.

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