1 Vernice Hankins
From: Homa <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2022 1:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan
Subject: Public comment: Item 7-D - reject the military equipment policy.
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council:
I urge you to reject Item 7-D: the Ordinance Approving Military Equipment Policy.
Santa Monica has demonstrated an alarming inability to hold incompetent and/or malicious officers accountable.
We are still waiting for a report on how a Police Department employee was able to *allegedly* molest children for years.
If the city is unable or unwilling to deliver the promised report from law firm, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, on the Eric Uller case, then how can we trust the police department to adhere to this new policy on military weapons? How can we trust the police department, or the city itself, to follow any policy? When police malfeasance goes unchecked, we all suffer, including the police officers themselves. Imagine what it feels like to be one of the good cops, watching your colleagues get away with attacking peaceful protestors. What does it feel like to risk your career to report allegations of misconduct against Eric Uller to your superiors, only to have the guy remain on city payroll?
I know there are good cops because I have seen Santa Monica police officers comport themselves with dignity and restraint while dealing with difficult and disturbed community members.
However, my trust in the Santa Monica Police Department has been deeply strained. It has been almost two years since the protests of 2020, and still there is little to no accountability for the officers who attacked peaceful protesters while allowing looters to rampage the city. It feels like the city has spent more time fighting resident oversight than rooting out officer misconduct. Military weaponry for the police won't make me feel safe. What will make me feel safe is when I see our Police Officers held to basic standards of accountability and professionalism.
Thank you
Homa Mojtabai
Santa Monica Resident
(note I'm on the Personnel Board writing in a personal capacity) Item 7.D
04/26/22
1 of 1 Item 7.D
04/26/22