TUPELO, Miss. (AP) - Tupelo city leaders next week go to a conference to learn about civilian oversight of police, at a time when the city is dealing with a controversial police shooting.
The Daily Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2csMi35 ) Saturday that city officials and community leaders are studying whether the city needs a police advisory or review board.
As part of the efforts, a delegation will go next week to a conference in New Mexico put on by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.
Review boards often hear complaints about police conduct. They are often seen as a way to improve transparency and accountability of police operations.
Tupelo has been the site of protests over the shooting death of a black man who fled from a traffic stop. A grand jury declined to indict the white police officer who shot him, and the officer is now back at work.
Tupelo’s Mayor Jason Shelton said that the death of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert was a catalyst for renewed discussion about having an oversight board but he said that demands for civilian oversight of police are not new.
“It has been proposed to the city of Tupelo for at least 30 years,” Shelton said. “There have been different citizens and groups come to me and request this since I’ve been in office.”
Shelton will be accompanied by Assistant Police Chief Alan Gilbert, Chief Operations Officer Don Lewis and City Council members Travis Beard, Willie Jennings, Nettie Davis and Buddy Palmer.
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Information from: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, https://djournal.com
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