Rep. Ruiz hosts discussion with black Coachella Valley leaders and members of law enforcement

On Thursday morning Rep Ruiz, M.D. hosted a virtual discussion with members of the black community in the Coachella Valley, as well as police chiefs from neighboring law enforcement agencies.

Indio City Councilman Waymond Fermon, Desert Hot Springs City Council member Jan Pye, Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes, Indio Police Chief Mike Washburn, Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum, Bishop Kephyan Sheppard of the Word of Life Fellowship, and Amor Tolad of the Young Justice Advocates were all in attendance.

The discussion was organized in the wake of George Floyd's death, as well as calls for police reform around the nation.

"What concrete steps or actions have the departments made since the killing of Mr. Floyd in relations to chokeholds, reviews, racial profiling and other racial injustices experienced by black communities within police departments in our areas?" Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz asked.

Leaders brought on a myriad of tough questions in an effort to initiate dialogue between the community and local law enforcement.

"What are we doing to ensure the community that you're self-policing methods are actually effective? You're not covering things up and hiding behind a blue wall and secondly, what are we doing to ensure that it's being reciprocated?" Word of Life Fellowship in Desert Hot Springs, Bishop Kephyan Sheppard asked.

"I immediately went to the policy manual and began an analysis of what our use of force policies were that were currently in place," Cathedral City Police Chief George Crum said.

Crum was appointed chief this February. As of this Monday he eliminated the carotid restraint. Desert Hot Springs Police and the Riverside County Sheriff Department also banned the controversial maneuver this week. Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes said in the meeting that he was also working to remove it.

"I will be assigning staff to look at all that training that we had reviewed to see where we can invite the public to sit in when we're providing that training so they can see the content that we're actually providing to our staff," Chief Reyes said.

Participants respectfully engaged in a conversation, sparked by tensions running high across the nation following the death of George Floyd. They spoke on de-escalation training, recruitment and hiring, and accountability among several other topics.

"For me, my approach is weaving that de-escalation training in every single use of force option that we have," Indio Police Chief Mike Washburn said.

Chief Reyes stressed the need for mental health resources, and cited the struggles some officers undergo after what they see on a day-to-day basis.

At a meeting the week prior, advocates spoke on the possibility of having periodic psychiatric evaluations in place for law enforcement.

Others pointed out the unfortunate circumstance with the death of George Floyd. They expressed an openness to dialogue, but also frustration for the level of criticism they believe all law enforcement is receiving currently.

"In checking in with our officers, their families are very bothered. Folks have dedicated their lives to their communities and now they feel vilified," Chief Washburn said.

All 3 chiefs agreed that accountability is vital within the force.

Bishop Sheppard also spoke on the level of distrust between law enforcement and the community. He asked them how this could be solved.

"There's nothing worse than a community seeing a significant event take place and they never see the police chief have one discussion about that event and it breeds that distrust," Chief Crum said.

"We as chiefs must get out in front and do a much better job in educating the public in all the checks and balances that are in place," Chief Reyes said.

Chief Reyes also said that it was important to engage the public on investigation processes, and how other policies were conducted.

"Explaining the processes for discipline, and that is very important - it's imperative for us to do that," Chief Washburn said.

Thursday's conversation is likely to be one of many, as participants spoke of an increased need for dialogue.

"I would just say that it is time to sit down and get the heart of the true meaning behind any level of communication as it relates to that so we can move forward," Chief Reyes said.