Merced mayor introduces 18-member police review committee, following George Floyd protests

Merced Mayor Mike Murphy on Thursday introduced a community advisory committee whose mission will be reviewing the police department’s use-of-force policies and procedures.

Murphy’s announcement in front of the Merced Civic Center came on the one month anniversary of the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis.

Like many activists in many cities, protesters in Merced have called upon local leaders to make reforms for law enforcement in the aftermath of Floyd’s death.

Murphy and Councilman Delray Shelton picked the 18-person advisory committee, which will be chaired by former Merced County CEO Dee Tatum.

The group will act in an advisory capacity, and is expected to present recommendations to the City Council and Interim Police Chief Tom Cavallero within 90 days.

“Their scope will be to better understand our use-of-force policies and understand what our department is doing well and where we can improve within the bounds of California state law,” Murphy said.

During his announcement, Murphy praised officers for their dedication, but also sympathized with citizens who’ve had bad experiences with law enforcement.

Tatum said with everything that has happened in the country in the past month, the new committee could be a good thing for Merced.

“We have a very good community,” Tatum said. “Nothing is perfect, but if we can make things better, yes. The idea here is not to go through and rips things apart. I think we have to stay cohesive and focused as possible.”

Merced NAACP Branch President Allen Brooks will be part of the committee. Brooks says he’s already has a couple recommendations he’d like to bring to the table.

“I believe police will have a better effect on the community if (they) actually lived in that community,” Brooks said. If (they) knew who the knuckleheads were in the community and (they) knew their parents and things like that, it allows for better engagement.”

Brooks also would like to see professionals other than police officers respond to low level 911 calls.

“Mental health and calls like that, some calls don’t always need the police to show up,” Brooks said. “Some calls need like a behavior health specialist or someone who can help these people through that.”

Brooks says the formation of the committee is a step in the right direction, but it’s just a step.

“We’ve been out protesting,” he said. “We’ve been out and it’s been seen. The mayor, the chief and district attorney, all the people who are the powers to be have been very supportive. I feel like we’re being heard, but until change, we’ll see. It’s one thing to hear, but another thing to start putting things on the ballot to be voting on at city council.”

Chief Cavallero says he supports and welcomes the advisory committee’s input.

Cavallero said the department has spent the last month doing an internal review of policies with subject matter experts, administrative staff and others.

However, Cavallero said the component that was missing was the community input. “This is the perfect compliment to that and a real necessary part of it,” Cavallero said.

One change in procedure Cavallero said that has come during the internal review process was prohibiting carotid artery restraint.

“Law enforcement policies are and have always been evolving documents,” Cavallero said.

“They direct those who are bound by them to endeavor to meet the needs of their community, but to the extent possible, they must also necessarily reflect the expectations of that community. Our policy review is a work in progress with our goal being to address Merced’s public safety needs as well as its expectations.”

Cavallero says the police department will accommodate any requests the committee has, including making anyone in the department available to speak to the committee, whether it’s a group or individual, including use-of-force experts and other subject matter experts.

In terms of qualifications for the committee, Murphy said he was looking for community members who come from different backgrounds. He wants people with different views and opinions that will lead to discussions.

Murphy feels now is a good time to dig into police procedures and policies and find out what is working and what needs to be improved upon.

“There’s certainly things happening at a national level,” Murphy said. “We also have in our own way a microcosm of some of the same issues. Fortunately not to the same extreme as we’ve seen on TV, but this is something I want to get in front of, this is something I think the residents want to be engaged in, and I think our police chief as well has shown that willingness.”

Members of the committee

• Dee Tatum, chairperson, former Merced County CEO
• Allen Brooks, president, Merced NAACP
• Gabriela Spiva, Merced People of Color
• Al Schaap, senior pastor, Gateway Community Church
• Wil Dean, owner, Merced Chevrolet
• Nailah Hubbard, pastor, Mt. Pisgah AME Zion Church
• Sharon Jones, Merced County Department of Mental Health
• Edwin Kainth, owner, Merced Courtyard by Marriott and Quality Inn
• Tatiana Vizcaino, consultant, Health Equity for All
• Shane Smith, Merced City School District trustee
• Rhonda Batson
• Cesar Johnson
• See Lee
• Kari May
• Nellie McGarry
• Robert Morris
• Rudy Sanchez
• Moua Thao

This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 2:59 PM.