Local NAACP Calls for an Independent Study

OF Use of Excessive Force in Stanislaus County

The Modesto/Stanislaus Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People seeks an independent study of accusations of excessive police force in Stanislaus County. “We have always thought, and always will believe that it is a conflict of interest for law enforcement to be the sole investigators of themselves,” said Wendy Byrd, president of the Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP.

Alonzo Gradford, the new Legal Redress Chair for the local NAACP and criminal defense attorney, added, “Community members are seeking more transparency and accountability. We believe that the majority of officers do a good job, however, as in any organization; there may be a few who cross the line. The community has a right to expect professional service.”

There will be a Town Hall meeting on use of excessive force, in which citizens may express their concerns, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Thursday, May 7, 2009,   in the King-Kennedy Memorial Center, 601 Martin Luther King Blvd. A representative from the U. S. Department of Justice has been invited to attend. This meeting is open to the public.

Local law enforcement is invited to respond to citizen’s concerns at a follow-up meeting during the same hours on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the King-Kennedy Memorial Center. This meeting is also open to the public.

Both meetings are sponsored by The Modesto/Stanislaus NAACP, Caravan for Justice II, and the King-Kennedy Board of Directors. The Stanislaus chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union also has expressed concerns over excessive policing practices.

 For more information call:    (209) 882-1480