Florida Law Enforcement Agencies Announce Steps to Build Community Trust

TAMPA — Law enforcement personnel across Hillsborough County will undergo implicit bias training every year from now on, one of the “first steps” at improving community relations that were announced at a news conference today by local law enforcement leaders and advocates for black Americans.

“To fix the issue, you first have to acknowledge there is an issue,” said Julia Lewis with the American Civil Liberties Union. “The truth of the matter is that trust in Tampa law enforcement is still an issue.”

Activist Connie Burton said she welcomed the chance she received to discuss community relations with Sheriff Chad Chronister, Tampa police Chief Brian Dugan, other local law enforcement leaders as well as union representatives.

“I always say put your money where your mouth is,” Burton said. “So much mistrust is prevalent in our community. It’s real.” \u2066

Law enforcement leaders reached out the NAACP and the ACLU after the two groups called for local police reforms June 9 in the wake of the death of George Floyd, the black man who died in Minneapolis police custody.

The result is a series of five policy measures, some of them already on the books and many mirroring the national “8 Can’t Wait” campaign advocating for eight moves designed to curtail police violence.

“When you look at these five policy measures, at the commitment we have made, it’s a great leap forward for Tampa,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said.

The state requires implicit bias training every four years, Chronister said, but officers and deputies in Hillsborough County will get the training every year under the new measures.

The news conference was held at the Tampa Park Apartments west of Ybor City. It comes on the heels of a meeting Tuesday night of the Tampa police Citizens Review Board, where critics of the department called for a range of changes including reform and defunding.

Among highlights of the five policy measures:

Officers have a duty to intervene if they see other officers using excessive force.

Independent investigations will be conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement when a death occurs in local police custody.

Policies will be made uniform countywide on banning chokeholds, requiring non-lethal intervention and training in areas such as implicit bias and crowd control.

Expanded use of body cameras and squad car cameras, including a search for money to buy and maintain more of them.

Expansion of community policing and regular communication with community leaders on innovative ways to build trust.

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