From: Joanne Berlin
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: input for items 8 A & C on the 7/14 City council agenda Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022 9:56:19 AM
EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
I’m writing to you again about tonight’s Council agenda items 8A and 8C.
I am asking you to consider 3 candidates for the 3 openings in the Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission. I am very well acquainted a person who has years of experience in dealing with police reform issues and would be an active and helpful member to this commission – namely, Michele Wittig. She is a smart and balanced researcher and would be a most valuable asset to the body. Likewise, I have known Craig A. Walter for years and find him to be a most thoughtful, knowledgeable, and committed Black man when it comes to justice issues. I haven’t known Craig Miller as long, but have found him to be very committed to the work of this commission, always present at meetings and a subcommittee chair. These 3 people would be of much help to the PSROC.
And to repeat what I said in an earlier email to you all, Paul Winnemore has submitted an application to become a voting member of the PSROC. My understanding is that the SM Police Officers’ Association was given the opportunity to name who would sit on the commission as a non-voting member. He was their and Chief Batista’s choice. If he is placed into a voting slot on the commission, would not the POA expect to be able to nominate another non-voting person to that slot? All of this would raise further questions about whether or not there is a good faith attempt in Santa Monica to have civilian oversight of police. I think it would not be in the spirit of the formation of this still new commission to move Mr. Winnemore into a voting slot.
It is important to add other clear voices of reform to this body.
Thank you for reading this,
Joanne Berlin
Item 8.C
07/14/22
1 of 1 Item 8.C
07/14/22