Local News

Sheriff: More Transparency Needed

By
Rich Jones, News Director
@ February 11, 2009 12:30 PM
Permalink | Comments (0)

Days after WOKV reported the fourth shooting involving Jacksonville Police in 2009, Sheriff John Rutherford is calling for more transparency in the lengthy process after those shootings.  

 

The Sheriff is pushing for the internal review meetings to be more open, maybe even streamed online, so that you can better understand how the officers who pull the trigger are scrutinized.

He's been meeting with members of the African American community and criminal justice experts to find additional transparency.

UNF criminal justice professor Mike Hallett says an external review is critical.

"Most law enforcement agencies in the area have an external agency do the review.  FDLE does the review in most cases".

He says that would offer a constructive and non-threatening method.

The Sheriff stopped short of committing to the idea of a citizens review board.

"Officers have to know that they're going to be treated fairly when their actions are reviewed, that it's going to be a fact-finding evidenciary based process based on law".

Professor Hallett says there is a simple answer to the issue.

"The number one way to immediately reduce police shootings is to stop shooting at police".

Sheriff Rutherford says the department's internal review process is lauded as one of the most effective in the nation.



Avg. rating: N/A

What others are saying

There are no comments yet. Be the first to post one!

send to a friend  view as printer-friendly  get widgets  RSS feeds
advertisement
advertisement

Marketplace

WOKV Marketing
Stay ahead of the storm. Find evacuation routes, safety tips and more in the Hurricane Guide.
Safe Touch Security Systems
In security, there's safe, then there is SafeTouch safe.
'Be Safe' vs. 'Feel Safe' .
powered by Kudzu From fast food to fine dining, find it all in our Local Business Directory .
powered by AutoTrader.com Shop for cars, find a dealer, and get the latest automotive news in our Local Car Buying Guide powered by AutoTrader.com
advertisement
Gas Prices

Before you fill up check out Jacksonville's lowest gas prices!
WJXT Partner

WOKV is a proud news partner of WJXT-TV 4
Fox News Partner

WOKV is a proud news partner of Fox News
Travel Channel
Need to get away or planning a vacation? Let us, and our partners at Travel Channel, help. Click here to find out more.
Become one of thousands who paid so little at Arlington Toyota