ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) — The town of Antioch has begun its seek for a brand new police chief. It held its first of three neighborhood boards on Saturday.
“The police division hasn’t had a everlasting chief since 2001. And so for them, to have permanence and stability goes to imply loads for his or her morale, their means to maneuver ahead,” stated Antioch Metropolis Supervisor Bessie Marie Scott, who’s main the seek for the police chief.
“I believe previous dialog has been form of trauma-based with what occurred. However in the present day, everybody form of got here collectively, and listed out stakeholders that they thought could be vital to be on this house,” stated Porsche Taylor, who chairs the Antioch Police Oversight Fee. She stated subjects centered on accountability, neighborhood policing and transparency.
“It’s good to listen to us. I hope they’re listening,” stated Antioch resident Frank Sterling, Jr. “It isn’t going to be a straightforward job. It will be a long time, I really feel like, within the making to alter issues.”
MORE: Antioch appoints new interim police chief days after DOJ settlement over racist texting scandal
Sterling, a longtime Antioch activist, additionally attended the morning assembly. He applauds town’s efforts to solicit neighborhood enter however is considerably skeptical of how a lot impression it’s going to have.
“Instances are altering, and I believe this type of neighborhood enter goes to be vital to maneuver ahead sooner or later,” he stated. “Particularly in Antioch–with what was revealed via the textual content messages–when you bought a very good look of what they have been really pondering and saying.”
Two years in the past, the FBI uncovered a racist texting scandal that led to 40% of the police division being placed on paid depart. In January, a consent decree was introduced between Antioch and United States Division of Justice, outlining areas the place the police division must make main modifications.
Scott stated the brand new chief might want to construct up a division that’s data-driven and robust on supervision.
“How do you construct and have robust groups officers who’re doing very troublesome work in a really troublesome atmosphere, given the opposite points throughout, well being, housing, training, in a state of diminishing assets in every single place,” Scott stated.
The appliance course of closes on the finish of February. Residents may also participate via a neighborhood survey accessible on town’s web site.
Captain Joe Vigil was named Antioch’s interim police chief. He stated he may even apply for the everlasting job.
Scott says town hopes to have new chief in place by June.
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