Since everyone in “the community” has suddenly taken an interest in the plight of black men as victims these days here are a few names  they may want to keep in mind…

• Julian Brown
• Randy Elder
• Harold Stewart
• George Hagan
• Deshawn Brooks
• Aaron Cawthon
• Ashley McGraw* (Yes, I know this is a female, does it matter?)
• Keith McGee
• Jimmy Johnson
• Christopher Hampton
• Thaddeus Bell
• Arnold James
• Jarren Jackson
• Dante Lott
• Donald Cantrell
• Andre Johnson
• Gary Dunlap
• Warren Collins*
• Leon Pepper
• Nicole James (See above)
• Brett Reinert
• Johnny Ferguson
• Jerimiah Long
• Darrell White
• Juwann Robinson
• Ousmane Gueye
• Sonny Stingley
• Travon Neely
• Walter Jones

The above are all African-Americans who’ve made this year’s homicide victim list,  although Warren Collins was the result of a police action shooting.  They’ve make up about half the homicides so far this year.  I apologize if I’ve missed someone.  I would hope that when the Baptist  Ministers Alliance of Indianapolis gets ready for their summer protests regarding Brandon Johnson, they don’t miss anyone either.

Here is the statement released by the Baptist Ministers Alliance of Indianapolis regarding the Brandon Johnson incident.

STATEMENT FROM INDIANAPOLIS BAPTIST MINISTERS ALLIANCE

Dr. Stephen J. Clay, President, June 11, 2010

Today I’m joined by Pastors, Lawyers, Funeral Directors, Business Owners and other Community Leaders to express our outrage at the determination reached by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Internal Affairs Unit.

For the sake of extreme clarity, I want to say that crime in Indianapolis is not a Black issue. It’s an issue in every community. You don’t have a zip code that exempts you from the potentiality of crime. I also want to make clear that my comments today are not directed at all the fine men and women who serve on the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, both black and white. My observations are directed solely at those officers who tarnish the labor of those who place their lives on the line for this community every day.

Several days ago, the Marion County Prosecutor determined that Brandon Johnson committed no actionable crime. Specifically, the Marion County Prosecutor stated that Brandon’s conduct on May 16, did not meet the burden for criminal charges. Indeed, Brandon is not a criminal, Brandon is the victim.

Regrettably, the Chief of Police reported yesterday that only one officer would be terminated. It is clear to us, based off the narrative shared, that these officers acted as a team and as a result they are all culpable. It is unequivocal that all police officers involved in this case should be terminated immediately and a criminal investigation should be launched immediately into the conduct of these officers.

Moreover, it is clear that the police department lacks the internal capacity to “police” its own, especially in matters where the general public is involved. The internal affairs process has no credibility in this community. As a result we call for the complete dismantling of the IMPD internal affairs unit and demand that it be replaced with a transparent citizens’ review process to specially address those cases where members of the civilian community are the center of an investigation.

We will also request that the Federal Government monitor this process. It is clear to most in the African-American community that some officers on IMPD think that it is open season on African-Americans, Latinos and other people of color and the poor in Indianapolis. As leaders in this community, we will not tolerate abusive force by the police upon our children in particular, or anyone for that mater.

We will not standby and have the youth of our community beaten by drug dealers, gang bangers or the police. It is obvious that the training of IMPD officers is so profoundly inadequate that the entire process needs to be reevaluated, revised and replaced. It’s apparent that some officers lack the judgment to apply the appropriate response in many circumstances.

The action taken yesterday by the Internal Affairs Unit makes these officers think they can act with impunity. It sends the signal that you can beat a Black, a Latino and anyone of color or a poor citizen nearly beyond recognition and get away with it.

Well, this community will not stand by and watch while our kids become victimized by the criminal conduct of a few rogue officers. We will bring the bright light of justice to these deeds. We will use our collective resources economically and politically, we will dismantle our historic differences to address this issue.

In conclusion, we take note of the Mayor’s silence during this ordeal. His silence speaks volumes. History has proven that in times of crises leaders speak out as well as delegate duties. The Mayor’s brief press release yesterday suggests that he may be more interested in capital improvements than he is about public safety. This fact will be as much a part of his political resume as his surprising mayoral victory was in 2007.

No Justice No Peace!!

Dr. Stephen J. Clay, President

I’ve invited representatives of the group to come my morning radio program and make their case.  No reply yet, but I’ll let you know if I get one.

Now that IMPD has released its findings on the Brandon Johnson police brutality case, it’s time to offer a little perspective.

IMPD investigated the case for nearly a month, interviewed 27 witnesses, and drew a conclusion that Officer Jerry Piland crossed a line that he should not have.  The Department is recommending Piland be terminated.  I know that is not enough for some members of “the community” but they need to take a step back and a deep breath.

First, why were police there?  The police were there because of a call about a daytime break-in, in a neighborhood that had been plagued by robberies.

Second, there were two other individuals who were arrested and complied with the officers orders and they walked away with no injuries.

Third, up until the point where Officer Piland used unnecessary force, Brandon Johnson resisted arrest.  The lawfulness of the arrest is not an issue per se, as courts have determined that once you are under arrest, you comply and we figure everything else out later.

Fourth,  this was not Rodney King where a 10-minute beating took place, the entire incident was two to three minutes long and two of the officers never touched Johnson.

Fifth, the witnesses and police version of events pretty much collaborate each others story while Brandon Johnson’s attorney and supporters have yet to produce once person to collaborate their version of events.

Sixth, at the end of the day we are going to have to have a frank  and good faith discussion about young black men in this town who break the law.  I have seen more clergy and community activists show up regrading this incident over the last three weeks than when three teens were shot  with an automatic weapon over a video game.

A little perspective, people.  Now we can have a community conversation.

Here is the audio from today’s news conference concerning the allegations of police brutality and IMPD.   Public Safety Director Frank Straub and IMPD Chief Paul Ciesielski addressed the media and recommended the firing of Officer Jerry Piland for excessive force against Brandon Johnson.  There’s also reaction from the FOP.  Each segment is about 8 minutes long.

IMPD Press Conference Part 1

IMPD Press Conference Part 2

IMPD Press Conference Part 3

IMPD Press Conference Part 4

FOP Reaction

The family is having a news conference this afternoon, but I won’t be able to make it because of my teaching commitments.  However, their attorney, Steve Wagner, will be a guest on my radio program tomorrow at 7:40 a.m.  Straub will be on at 7:10 a.m.

UPDATE: Here is the news release from the Department of Public Safety.

Indianapolis  Metropolitan Police Officials are recommending one officer be fired and two be disciplined for use of excessive force against a local teen.

Sources say Public Safety Director Frank Straub will recommend this morning that Officer Jerry Piland be let go and officers Stacy Latinga and David Carney be reprimanded.  A fourth officer, Oliver Clouthier, was not disciplined and IMPD sources say he was crucial to resolving the matter.

The Officers had been on desk duty since the investigation began last month.  Officers were called to the scene after getting a call that 15-year old Brandon Johnson’s young brother was breaking into a home on Fisher Creek Drive on the east side.

When officers arrived and arrested the younger brother, Brandon reportedly approached police and an altercation ensued.  Police say Brandon did resist arrest and reasonable force was used to subdue him, however those same sources say Piland went beyond what was reasonable and that led to the recommendation that he be discharged.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office declined to charge Brandon Johnson with disorderly conduct.

As IMPD gets ready to release its findings on the alleged use of excessive force against Brandon Johnson, I thought it would be interesting to share some data on police complaints and assaults against officers.

Using the Department’s 2008 Annual Report as a starting point there were more than 180 complaints filed  IMPD officers in 2008, the topics ranged from officer conduct, procedure and unnecessary force.  However, only 12 complaints were sustained.

In addition, the number of assaults against officers were actually up in 2008.   There were 785 assaults against officers, with more than 170 resulting in officer injury.  Officers were most likely to be injured while responding to a disturbance or while attempting an arrest.  And they were more like to hit,  kicked or punched by suspects.

I bring these stats up as a reminder that police business is inherently dangerous work.  A routine traffic stop or domestic disturbance call can turn into something a lot more dangerous.

This does not excuse police brutality and I’ll be eager to see at what point with the encounter with Brandon Johnson where did the use of reasonable force necessary to subdue a suspect and affect and arrest turned into excessive force.

My money right now is that there was probably one or two officers out of the group that went too far while the rest followed Department procedure, but we’ll know more later this morning.

IMPD will announce the results of its internal investigation into the Brandon Johnson beating case tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the Police Academy on Post Road.   I will be there and will twitter it live.  Be sure to follow me.

I’m looking out for a few items today.  Here’s what they are…

• IMPD could release information regarding the alleged beating of 15-year old Brandon Johnson as early as tomorrow.  My sources tell me the officers involved could face discipline ranging from a reprimand to termination.  In addition, expect the call for the creation of a citizens panel to help the Department craft training policy and build better relationships with the community.
• The next move to transfer the city’s water and waste water utilities is in the hands of the GOP. AWOL Democrats Frank Short and John Bayt finally showed up for the Waterworks Board and split their vote on the proposal.  However, Republican Dan DeMars abstained from voting saying he wanted more time to study the plan.   Since there was no majority to approve or deny the measure, the Board will take up the measure again.  There’s a proposal before the Council that would remove the Board’s authority to approve the deal and transfer it to the Public Works Board.
• Frank Anderson is expected to file for the State Senate to run against Republican Jim Merritt.  Anderson is term-limited from running again for Sheriff.  If  Anderson does run, I wonder if he answer any all questions regarding  his health, physical and otherwise.
• Mark Souder should audition for Sunset Boulevard.  His recent Facebook rant sounds like something out of Gloria Swanson.

That’s all I’m looking for today.  If you see something, let me know.

Yours truly is a big believer in free speech and open debate on major issues, however, everyone once in a while a nut slips past my radar screen.  There were recently some comments by a poster who went by the name of “dirtyblues.”

This individual was trying to make a point about black-on-black crime and in my opinion went overboard so I deleted all of his comments.

As you all know, I’m not a fan of censorship and I let a lot of comments stand on this blog that I probably shouldn’t, however there comes a point when I have to draw the line and say enough is enough.

If  “dirtyblues” wants to come back and post like a rational person, he is more than welcome, however I like to keep the crazy down to the usual suspects.

Feel free to post away.

I managed to chat with the attorney for 15-year old Brandon Johnson over the weekend shortly after he finished an appearance on a local radio program.   I asked Steve Wagner about the alleged incident, what his client wants to see done and whether Brandon bore some partial responsibility for what happened.  You can hear his remarks below…

Steve Wagner