Durham City Council discusses racial bias report claims
DURHAM (WTVD) -- From a musical tribute to Durham's Police Chief to calls for his job, the City Council's first chance to publicly discuss a laundry list of proposed policy changes to its police department ran the gamut.
"Until you start doing your job and stop illegally searching these people," Janet Johnson, a Durham citizen, shouted during the public hearing. "I'm going to be watching you!"
Several advocacy groups including the NAACP and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice have claimed racial bias and racial profiling exists among Durham officers.
The group Fostering Alternative Drug Enforcement known as F.A.D.E. has also raised concerns for low-level drug offenses, calling for a Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion program.
The city's Human Relations Commission submitted more than 30 recommendations ranging from psychiatric evaluations for officers to prohibiting officers from disabling their dash camera video recorders.
Advocates also want city leaders to focus on requiring officers to use a written consent form for all searches and participate in racial equity training. They're also pushing for a regular review of officer traffic stop data, less emphasis on misdemeanor marijuana arrests, and reforms to the Citizen Police Review Board.
"We're not looking at the police as evil. We're not looking at them as oppressors," explained Roland Staton with the Durham NAACP at a news conference before the City Council's work session. "But, we're recognizing that systemically we have a problem. These five points will go a long way toward helping to make sure our police protect and serve rather than profile and select."
Durham's Police Chief attended the eventful work session, silently observing the musical tribute and one citizen's call for his removal.
A police representative told ABC11 there may be a department news conference on Friday to address some of the questions and concerns raised at the meeting.
Durham Police Department has issued at least three reports of its own in response to the allegations of bias and racial profiling. Most recently, the department said a review of traffic stop data suggests only a small percentage of thousands of drivers in the city over several years resulted in consent searches. The department has admitted there are some racial disparities within that small group, but they deny it's because officers are biased.
The council asked a variety of questions, including more information about objections raised by some members of the Human Relations Commission.
"No one wants to see racial profiling, racial bias in Durham," said Councilman Eugene Brown. "If there's one case, that's one case too many."
The meeting ended with City Manager Tom Bonfield promising to personally review the list of recommendations.
The mayor asked for an update in mid-June.
