Nine appointed to Police Civilian Review Panel

By Times Staff

On Feb. 28, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed nine Fairfax County residents to serve on the newly established Police Civilian Review Panel. The creation of a Civilian Review Panel was recommended by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission in their October 2015 final report to the Board of Supervisors.

“The Police Civilian Review Panel will promote further transparency and openness in community policing,” Chairman Sharon Bulova said. “Each appointed member will bring a valuable perspective, extensive knowledge and years of community involvement to the table. Together with their impressive skillsets, this group of individuals will set the bar high for how the Civilian Review Panel will operate. I am very proud of our Fairfax County Police Department. This Panel will contribute toward making us a model of excellence for the nation.”

The Civilian Review Panel will act as an independent avenue or “portal” for residents to submit complaints concerning allegations of abuse of authority or misconduct by a Fairfax County Police (FCPD) Officer. The Panel will also have the authority to request and review completed Police Department internal administrative investigations regarding a civilian complaint against an officer. The Panel may hold public meetings to review police administrative investigations and walk through with members of the community how the investigation was conducted, including findings of fact, evidence collected and witness statements. Examples of complaints and cases for the Civilian Review Panel to receive and review may include:

• The use of abusive, racial, ethnic or sexual language;

• Harassment or discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, familial status, or disability;

• The reckless endangerment of a detainee or person in custody;

• Serious violations of Fairfax County or FCPD procedures

The Civilian Review Panel will not address potentially criminal use of force or police-involved shootings. Cases of that magnitude would likely involve an investigation by the Commonwealth’s Attorney and would be monitored by the newly hired Police Auditor, Richard G. Schott.

The Board of Supervisors has appointed Adrian Steel to serve as the first chairman of the Civilian Review Panel. All subsequent chairmen will be selected by members of the Civilian Review Panel in a manner that will be determined by the Panel’s bylaws. Panel members will serve three year terms with a two term limit, although some inaugural members will serve for less time to allow for staggered terms.

The first orders of business for the Civilian Review Panel include writing bylaws detailing how the Panel will function, and training Panel members on current police practices and policies in Fairfax County. Once those items are complete, which may take a number of months, the Civilian Review Panel will begin their work of requesting and reviewing cases.

See below for the names and short bios of the Police Civilian Review Panel Members (in alphabetical order):

 • Hansel Aguilar, Fairfax

Mr. Aguilar, originally from Honduras, investigates allegations of police misconduct at the D.C. Office of Police Complaints. Mr. Aguilar is a former police officer for the George Mason University Police Department and previously worked as a case manager and internal investigator for Youth for Tomorrow. He has served with the Vinson Hall Retirement Community in McLean and with the Fairfax County Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Mr. Aguilar is bilingual in Spanish and English and believes that oversight is an important tenet of maintaining justice and equality in a democratic society.

 • Kathleen Davis-Siudut, Springfield

Ms. Davis-Siudut has spent the past 15 years providing training as well policy development and implementation in the areas of sexual violence, human trafficking, and cultural diversity. Ms. Davis-Siudut is of Korean descent and has previously worked for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Polaris Project, and the US Marine Corps. She currently works with the Air Force as a sexual assault prevention and response subject matter expert.

 • Steve Descano, Springfield

During his six years as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Descano led numerous investigations conducted by FBI, IRS and USPIS agents. While at the Department of Justice, he analyzed documentary evidence, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed the investigatory work of agents and other prosecutors. Mr. Descano currently works as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for Paragon Autism Services and serves on the Criminal Justice Committee of the Fairfax County NAACP. Mr. Descano also serves on the Fairfax County Trails and Sidewalks Committee, is a graduate of West Point, and was nominated by the Fairfax County NAACP to serve on the Civilian Review Panel.

 • Hollye Doane, Oakton

A Fairfax County resident for more than 30 years, Ms. Doane spent most of her career as an attorney in Washington D.C. representing an array of clients, including the National Down Syndrome Society and Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation. Ms. Doane has been an advocate for the disability community for more than 20 years and understands the importance of building positive relationships between law enforcement officers and people with disabilities. Her experience as a journalist prior to attending law school gave her an appreciation for clear, timely and transparent communication between government officials and the community. After her retirement, Ms. Doane trained as a mediator and facilitator and currently serves as a lay pastoral minister in her church.

 • Douglas Kay, Fairfax

Mr. Kay is a trial lawyer who has handled civil litigation, criminal defense and personal injury cases for over 20 years. He currently focuses his practice on commercial litigation matters. As a criminal defense attorney, he has represented individuals charged with everything from simple traffic matters to the most serious felony offenses in state and federal courts. Mr. Kay previously served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Navy and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County. A lifelong Fairfax County resident, Mr. Kay attended Fairfax County Public Schools, coaches his son’s youth basketball team, and served on Fairfax County’s Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. Mr. Kay was nominated to serve on the Civilian Review Panel by the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce and the Fairfax Bar Association.

 • Randy Sayles, Oak Hill

Mr. Sayles has over 35 years of law enforcement and criminal investigations experience. He worked as a Federal Agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and served as a police officer for the Denver, Colorado Police Department. Mr. Sayles enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering for the Clean Fairfax Council and Creekside Homeowners Association, and was the recipient of a Fairfax County 2016 Environmental Excellence Award for removing 800 bags of trash and over 1200 illegal signs along nine miles of Centreville Road. Mr. Sayles served as a member of Fairfax County’s Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission and has continued to work with the Board of Supervisors and Fairfax County Police to implement the Commission’s recommendations.

 • Jean Senseman, Lorton

Ms. Senseman is a licensed clinical social worker who has spent many years working with clients who experience mental illness, PTSD and substance use disorders. Ms. Senseman has worked in private practice providing treatment and therapy for individuals young and old who experience a wide variety of mental health disorders. Ms. Senseman taught at George Washington University Medical School and volunteers for her Condo Association Finance Committee. Previously, Ms. Senseman worked at the Woodburn Community Mental Health Center and at the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter helping residents of all socio-economic backgrounds receive mental health treatment.

 • Adrian L. Steel, Jr., McLean (Chairman)

Mr. Steel served on Fairfax County’s Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission and has continued to work with the Board of Supervisors to implement the Commission’s recommendations. Mr. Steel has been appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as the first chairman of the Police Civilian Review Panel. Mr. Steel has demonstrated extensive knowledge and a strong commitment regarding 21st Century police policies and best practices, including civilian oversight. Mr. Steel currently works as a senior counsel at Mayer Brown LLP where he has practiced law for over 35 years, and previously served as Special Assistant to FBI Director, William H. Webster.

 • Rhonda VanLowe, Reston

Ms. VanLowe was appointed to the Governor’s Taskforce for Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response and served on the Public Safety workgroup. She has devoted much of her community service work to serving those with unique physical, mental, emotional, intellectual or cognitive backgrounds. Ms. VanLowe practiced law in law firm and corporate settings, served as Board Chair of The Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc., and received the National Women of Color Special Recognition Award at the 2008 STEM Conference. Ms. VanLowe is a 36-year resident of Fairfax County and looks forward to working together with members of the Panel to develop procedures that will set the foundational tone and tenor for the work of the Panel.

Police: No credible threat to Fairfax Co. officer in fatal shooting

By Dick UlianoFebruary 27, 2017 4:35 am

WASHINGTON — Last month Fairfax County police fatally shot a man outside his Herndon, Virginia, home. Police say the man shot and wounded his two brothers, held a hostage and set the house on fire. The officer involved in the Jan. 16 fatal shooting, who is on paid administrative leave, has been battling in court to keep his name from being made public.

The veteran officer won a judge’s order to keep his name from being released, arguing that to do so would endanger him and his family. But Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler announced late last week that no credible threat has been found to the officer.

Roessler is expected to meet with the officer early this week and the chief must provide the court the results of the threat assessment.

Because of controversy surrounding past police shootings in Fairfax, it’s become county policy to release names of officers involved in fatal shootings within 10 days, unless it poses a threat to the officer’s safety.

The officer’s lawyers could further petition to the federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia to keep his name from being made public.

________________________________________

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Once again, did anyone check to see if the weasel was drunk driving?

Fairfax County Police Officer put on restricted duty following crash

Officer hit van while driving above the speed with his emergency lights off

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - A police officer in Fairfax County was put on restricted duty Wednesday following a crash in Falls Church involving another driver.

 The officer was driving westbound on Leesburg Pike, approaching Patrick Henry Drive, when he collided with a van that was traveling eastbound on Leesburg Pike and tried to make a left turn onto Patrick Henry Drive, in front of the marked cruiser.

 An investigation revealed that the officer was driving above the speed limit without his emergency lights activated at the time of the crash.

 The officer is currently on restricted duty pending the outcome of two parallel investigations -- one administrative and one criminal.

 The victim of the crash was transported to a local hospital, where he remains.

Exposure of the Day Australian Woman Flashes Google Street View Car

Fairfax County hires toothless dragon as window dressing

The cops are not required to give this poor dupe the time of day. Remember, the issue here is not following the rules, the issue is a corrupt cop culture that does what it damn well wants when it damn well want too.

 

 

 

Fairfax County Names First Independent Police Auditor

Richard G. Schott, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to be Fairfax County’s first-ever independent police auditor. Photo courtesy of Fairfax County

By Tim Peterson

Monday, February 20, 2017

Richard G. Schott, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to be Fairfax County’s first-ever independent police auditor.

The announcement of Schott’s hiring came at the board’s Feb. 14 meeting. As auditor, Schott will report directly to the board and have numerous oversight responsibilities. Among them, Fairfax County said:

Monitoring and reviewing internal investigations of Police Department officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths and use-of-force cases in which an individual is killed or seriously injured.

Requesting further investigations if he determines that an internal investigation was deficient or conclusions were not supported by the evidence.

Issuing public reports for each reviewed internal investigation.

Reviewing all resident complaint investigations of alleged excessive or unnecessary force by officers.

Producing annual reports that analyze trends and recommend improvements.

Schott will start full-time, paid work April 17 this year — salary is set at $143,000 — joined by two assistants.

Creation of an independent auditor was a recommendation by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission for increased oversight of Fairfax County Police.

Another was creation of a civilian review panel. The supervisors approved that body as well, set to be a nine-member group of volunteers who will review complaints of police misconduct or abuse of power.

During closed session Feb. 14, the board was scheduled to review applications and nominees for those positions. However no announcement was made following the closed-door meeting.

Board of Supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova said she was pleased to welcome Schott as the first auditor.

“In this newly established position, Mr. Schott will provide increased accountability and transparency to the Fairfax County Police Department,” Bulova said in a statement.

According to Fairfax County, Schott’s FBI career includes working as a special agent with local law enforcement and training state and local officers, “including legal issues associated with police officers’ use of force and deadly force.”

He also serves as an FBI Academy instructor at Quantico, the county said, teaching new agents about basic constitutional criminal procedure and legal consequences when they employ force.

Did anyone check to see if the cop was drunk or had been drinking?

Fairfax County Police Car Involved in Crash in Falls Church

By Sam Tabachnik

A Fairfax County Police car was involved in a crash in Falls Church on Saturday that left one person in the hospital.

The accident took place on Feb. 18 in the area of Route 7 and Patrick Henry Drive and involved another car, Fairfax County Police said in a tweet.

Police said the driver of the car was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the officer was not seriously injured.

The problem lies in what happens after this bad behavior

“The problem lies in what happens after this bad behavior and the problem is that citizens hear no apology, no asking for forgiveness, or pledge from police leaders that this won't happen again because we will fix it and improve. The silence is what's causing the tension and mistrust.”

Fairfax officer’s name remains under wraps after hearing delayed

The name of the Fairfax County cop who shot a man outside his home last month is still unknown.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis of the Eastern District of Virginia, postponed a hearing on releasing the officer’s name, delaying the announcement even further. The judge’s decision came after new evidence was presented in court Wednesday.

The evidence “must be carefully examined and investigated before the chief can ascertain whether there’s a credible threat to the officers safety,” court document said.

In 2016, the Fairfax County Police Department changed its policy on naming officer-involved shootings, vowing to release the name of officers involved in deadly shootings no later than 10 days after the fact.

It has been three weeks since the shooting.

Man files lawsuit against Fairfax Co. officer, county, for use of stun gun against him

Man files lawsuit against Fairfax Co. officer, county, for use of stun gun against him

FOX 5's Alexandra Limon reports.

FEB 10 2017 08:

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - In September 2015, an incident was captured on cellphone video that showed a police officer using a Taser on a man in Fairfax County. The man, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is suing for excessive force in this case.

It all started at a SunTrust Bank in the Rose Hill area of Franconia in Fairfax County. Elton Cansler took a pair of sunglasses from inside the bank and then took off. Police were then called. On the cellphone video, a responding officer uses his Taser on the man.

“His actions there – we are saying is excessive force,” said Cansler’s attorney, Maxwelle Sokol. “He has his hands up, the hands go on the hood of the car, he gets tased.”

Man files lawsuit against Fairfax Co. officer, county, for use of stun gun against him

The original lawsuit was filed this past December. In January, the police chief filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. This week, Cansler's attorneys have responded.

“On February 8th, we filed in opposition to that motion claiming that we in fact did allege enough facts to proceed,” Sokol said.

Cansler is suing Alan Hanks, the officer involved in the incident, as well as Fairfax County’s police chief and the county.

“They rubberstamped this and said this is totally compliant with our policies,” said Sokol. “So that is the basis for the county's liability – their after-the-fact ratification and endorsement of his actions.”

Officer Hanks was cleared of any wrongdoing days after the incident by the police department. The department released a detailed breakdown of the incident and it said in part that Cansler put his hands in his pockets and he had a knife. It also said he refused commands to put his hands behind his back and resisted arrest.

One of the witnesses who took the cell phone video said at the time after the 2015 incident, “The gentleman just happened to be walking down the sidewalk and the cop pulls up in front of him, tells him to turn over, and as soon as he has his back turned towards him, he tases him. He didn’t see it coming.”

Both sides are still waiting for a ruling on whether the lawsuit against the police department and the county can move forward. It may all be decided at a hearing scheduled in March. The lawsuit against the officer will likely continue because he has not filed a motion to dismiss it.

Separated at birth?

Yeah, that's lovely but what about the families of the victims the Fairfax County Police have killed? Where's their fundraiser?

Great Falls — A group in Great Falls raised over $5,000 for the organization Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) that supports the families of officers who have been killed on the job.

#For the last eight years, Bob Nelson, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Great Falls, has been organizing Military Appreciation Monday. The monthly fundraisers benefit military support organizations and groups. This latest fundraising effort was part of his new Law Appreciation Wednesday events, which will raise money for police officer support organizations and groups.

#Brix American Bistro on Seneca Road hosted the dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 25. As the host, the restaurant donates a portion of the evening’s sales during the event’s seatings. Raffle tickets are also sold for donated items.

#“One of the hardest jobs is being a cop,” says Ashwani Ahluwalia, the restaurant’s owner. “They put their lives on the line … big sacrifice.”

#The seating for the service was full. As people ate, an officer who patrols Great Falls spoke to the crowd.

#“I’m very proud to represent FCPD and the Reston Station in thanking this group for their support,” says 2nd Lt. Anthony Lampe of the FCPD’s Reston District Station. “Whenever a brush with life comes close, support means that much more.”

#Officer Lampe was referring to the shooting of one of his colleague’s marked police cars just three days before on Sunday, Jan. 22. The car was struck several times by gunfire in Great Falls, but fortunately the officer was not hit.

#This is the second of Nelson’s Law Appreciation Wednesday events. In December, the group raised $4,000 for HEROES, Inc. The organization assists the families of police officers within the D.C. region who have been killed on duty.

#“The hardest part about organizing this is finding groups that support cops,” Nelson says.

Ouy Vay! Its not about body cameras. Its about a punk attitude and a chief that needs to be fired

After policy set, Fairfax Co. police to test body-worn cameras

By Dick Uliano

FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County police are expected to begin testing body-worn cameras later this year, after the police department completes — and the Board of Supervisors approves — a set of guidelines governing the use of the cameras. 

Policy must still be nailed down on issues including how best to protect privacy; when cameras are to be turned on and off; when it’s appropriate to redact video and how long video should be retained.

“The goal is to start the pilot project as soon as possible. Whether that is July or sometime after Labor Day will depend on the work ahead,” said Chief Edwin Roessler with Fairfax County police.

The Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee has set a mid-June deadline for final submission of body-worn camera policy. Once the policy is in place, police will conduct a pilot program with the cameras for 90 days or more.

“My intent is to have two vendors for the pilot project and test and evaluate at two different police district stations,” Roessler said, indicating that two different brands of body-worn cameras will be tested.

While Fairfax County began discussing body-worn cameras in 2014, the program has lagged behind others in the area.

All D.C. police officers are equipped with the cameras, about 900 are in use in Montgomery County and Arlington has a pilot program underway involving 25 officers and sheriff’s deputies. Prince George’s County police say they are implementing the first phase of their program during the first three months of this year.

“I don’t think it’s taking too long. I think the Board and staff are committed to this, and I think we’re doing it right,” said Fairfax County Executive Ed Long.

Fairfax has set aside about $1.9 million to evaluate and then launch its police body-worn camera program. 

Because he believes cops are above the law, that why.

 Fire Police Chief Ed Roessler

Fairfax County Police Still Won't Release Officer's Name in Herndon Shooting

Police Chief Ed Roessler declined to articulate the reason for not releasing the officer's name within 10 days.

By Dan Taylor (Patch Staff) - January 26, 2017 5:17 pm ET

HERNDON, VA — The Fairfax County Police Department has decided not to release the name of the police officer who fatally shot a man in a barricade/hostage situation in Reston earlier this month -- at least not yet.

While county policy is to release the name of an officer involved in a fatal shooting within 10 days unless the department can articulate risk to that officer, there are "several factors" at play that are causing police to withhold the officer's name for the time being, Roessler said in a statement Thursday.

"Because of the complexity of the investigation, I’m not in a position at this point to say whether a risk exists or not, therefore, it isn’t prudent to release the officer’s name at this time," he said.

Roessler added that he expects an update on the assessment in the "near future." The involved officer remains on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

Fairfax County Police identified 32-year-old Mohammad Azim Doudzai as the suspect in a double-shooting and barricade in Herndon on Jan. 16 that ended in his death.

Police were called to a house in the 13300 block of Covered Wagon Lane at around 2:40 p.m. on that date to a report of two men who had been shot. Once on the scene, they found that a man was inside armed with a gun, and set up a perimeter to isolate the area, according to a report from the Fairfax County Police Department. Police tweeted Tuesday morning that Doudzai was a suspect, but noted that he was not yet confirmed as the shooter.

"Preliminarily, our investigation reveals the suspect fired several shots and started a fire, both inside the home," the report states. "Officers set up a perimeter, isolated the area and began evacuating neighbors. Members of the Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT were called to assist. They made several attempts to negotiate with the suspect and have him voluntarily surrender."

Get free real-time news alerts from the Herndon Patch.

During the ordeal, officers learned another man was trapped inside and couldn't escape.

"As smoke inundated the house and billowed out the windows, officers heard repeated gunshots," the report continues. "Officers also observed the suspect holding and moving around with at least one knife. Out of concern for the hostage and the suspect, officers made the decision to approach the home."

When they approached the front door, the suspect stepped outside armed with a knife and then lunged at officers, prompting them to open fire. Officers immediately started rendering aid to the man after shooting him, but he was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

Both shooting victims are expected to survive, and the hostage was quickly rescued from the home. No one else was injured during the incident.

Detectives will "continue their investigation to piece together a chronological sequence of events and determine the exact relationship between the victims and the suspect," the report notes. Police ask that anyone with information call 703-691-2131.

Something about this isn’t kosher…..

Two brothers called 911 around 2:40 p.m. Monday to report that a suspect shot them with a handgun after they were in a fight in a town house in Herndon.

The brothers escaped and drove themselves to the hospital for treatment, and the suspect took a hostage in the house.

Police responded to the scene and while they attempted to negotiate, the suspect set fire to the town house and continued to shoot a handgun.

The blaze grew to a two-alarm fire and the hostage called police and said he couldn’t breathe.

Repeated attempts to coax the suspect from the house were unsuccessful, and the suspect eventually left the house with a knife in his hand.

After attempts to disarm the suspect with a Taser and rubber bullets, an officer shot the suspect dead.

They tasered him and shot him with rubber bullets, had him surrounded and decided the best way to end was to shoot this apparently insane man to death?

Don’t wait it out.  Shoot him to death and once again we don’t get to know the cops name who shot the guy.

Something about this isn’t kosher. 

to the dogs

Dad

Fairfax: Police Auditor and Civilian Review Panel to Become Reality in 2017

Body cameras, mental health part of public safety focus

By Tim Peterson

Fairfax County — This year will see two historic firsts for Fairfax County, its police department and citizens: the beginning work of an Office of Police Auditor and Civilian Review Panel. The auditor will review police use of force cases and internal investigations of those incidents, while the panel will review other citizen complaints of police misconduct and abuse of power.

Both bodies were recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, a panel created by Board of Supervisors chairman Sharon Bulova largely in response to public frustration and anger over the lack of transparency and accountability after the 2013 shooting of unarmed Springfield man John Geer in the doorway of his home by then-Fairfax County Police officer Adam Torres.

A committee appointed by Bulova is reviewing six candidates who topped the applicants list.

For the civilian review panel, invitations to nominate members have been sent to dozens of community groups, including minority organizations, disability services, interfaith groups and others that were part of the Election Process Improvement Commission. Each supervisor may also make nominations. Public Safety Committee chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) said the full board will review all the nominations in closed session Feb. 14.

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) fully supported the auditor position but has been critical of the need for a civilian review panel -- he was the only supervisor to vote against its creation.

Looking ahead at 2017 though, Herrity said “my expectation and hope for both is they’re going to confirm our police department is doing a very good job.”

Randy Sayles of Oak Hill was a member of the Use of Force subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Commission. Sayles spent more than 35 years in law enforcement with the Denver Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. He said he is very optimistic both the auditor’s office and civilian review panel will be beneficial to the supervisors, police and citizens.

Sayles said from what he’s seen, “There’s a sense there can be be real improvement and transparency, not just lip service.”

In choosing the members of the panel, Sayles said it’s crucial the supervisors go with people who won’t allow bias to corrupt the review process.

 “It’s very important people picked deal with facts, demand facts and make decisions based on facts,” Sayles said, “and communicate those in a way that’s not divisive.

 “Try to get a diversity of people,” Sayles said. “But ultimately, pick people who are willing to be fair, no matter what. It can be a difficult thing to do.”

ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT AND CONTENTIOUS RECOMMENDATION from the Ad Hoc commission is the implementation of police officer-worn body cameras. Herrity said the supervisors are set to approve a new pilot program this month.

 “They are absolutely important,” Herrity said. “This is something our police department supports, our citizens support. We should go ahead and get it done now.”

Herrity said the estimated cost for getting body cameras up and running on police in Fairfax County is $30 million. The pilot, he said, will last for several months. He’s asked that it include two different vendors and be done at stations in two magisterial districts.

SUPERVISOR COOK said another public safety priority is taking next steps with the Diversion First program, which is set up to prevent people with mental illness or developmental disabilities from going to jail for nonviolent offenses.

Coordinating more with the court system is an important issue, Cook said.

 “We really need a sea change in how we think about mental illness,” said Cook, “to recognize it serves a public safety purpose as well to get people treatment. If you just throw them in jail, 80 percent of the time, something else happens, they’re going back in.”

The next meeting of the board’s Public Safety Committee is scheduled for Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax.

Fairfax seeks applicants for police abuse review panel created after fatal shooting

By Antonio Olivo

Virginia’s largest jurisdiction is seeking applicants for a new nine-member civilian panel that will review police abuse cases.

Fairfax County approved the creation of the civilian review panel last month, part of ongoing police reforms in the county of 1.1 million residents spurred by controversy over the 2013 fatal shooting of John B. Geer outside his home.

Fairfax officials are also wading through applications for an independent police auditor who will review police department investigations of cases in which use of force caused a death or serious injury.

In a news release Thursday, the office of Sharon Bulova (D), the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said the members of the civilian review panel will be appointed to three-year terms, with one person serving as chairman.

Board appointments to the panel will be based on previous civic involvement, expertise in law enforcement and an applicant’s reputation in his or her community. The board will seek racial and ethnic diversity and will try to appoint members from each of the county’s nine magisterial districts.

The panel will not be open to current county employees, former county law enforcement officers or any of their immediate relatives. Elected officials or political candidates also are excluded from serving on the panel.

Police reform may be progressing, but not police diversity

•           Dec 27, 2016

Dear Editor,

If you’ve not been following the Fairfax County Supervisors’ actions to implement the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Commission on Police Practices for the last 14 months, let’s briefly catch you up.

The Commission, consisting of 36 members including 10 active or retired police, submitted its final report to the Fairfax County Supervisors in October 2015. The report contained 202 unanimous, transformational recommendations to restore accountability and public trust in the Fairfax County Police Department.

To date, the FCPD and other county offices have implemented, or “implemented with modifications” over sixty per cent of the recommendations. Another 25 per cent were approved in principle, with details, some critical, still to be finalized. Ten per cent more complicated or contentious ones are still under review. Four percent were not implemented.

In sum, this is better progress than many of us expected. Supervisors deserve credit for pushing ahead in the face of often strong resistance from three unions.

Recommendations “implemented with modifications” include some major changes from Commission proposals. For example, the “independent police auditor” lost some independence and had its role in criminal investigations restricted. Proposed reforms calling for more transparency and accountability to the public face stiffest opposition and delay. Examples include proposals to require prompt disclosure of names of officers killing citizens and, to adopt body cameras for all officers. The former was finally approved but with lots of wiggle room, and the latter is still awaiting even a limited pilot test, perhaps in 2017.

A recommendation to encourage the use of less lethal force by requiring all officers to carry Tasers (in addition to guns) is still being debated. While overall percentages look good, a closer look reveals critical, not cosmetic, exceptions.

There is one area where I believe the Commission failed to deliver recommendations likely to lead to change. The Commission was charged with reviewing the composition of the force and making recommendations to improve its diversity. The force is a bastion of white males in a diverse county. Women and minorities are grossly underrepresented, a situation which has not improved in the last several years.

Whites make up only 63 % of the county population, but 83 % of the force (only 1 in 8 of are women); blacks make up 9 % of the population, but only about 7 % of the force; Latinos are 16 % of the population, but are just under 5 % of the force; and Asian Americans make up over 10% of the population, but only 4 % of the force.

The Commission’s subcommittee on Recruitment and Diversity offered only two recommendations to improve diversity:

1) establish a diversity goal for each (of 8) commanders; and,

2) educate and train recruiting and selecting officers about implicit bias.

That’s it, nothing more. The supervisors adopted both verbatim, thus apparently deferring action toward a force composition reflecting the community they serve. Perhaps the board’s number one New Year’s resolution should be to formulate and implement some serious affirmative action in the FCPD.

To see the Commission’s recommendations and implementation progress to date, go to www.fairfaxcountypolicecommission and scroll down to “progress report”.

Happy New Year to all!

John Lovaas