Pubdate: Mon, 13 Mar 2006
Source: News-Examiner, The (Gallatin, TN)
Copyright: 2006 The News Examiner
Contact:  http://www.gallatinnewsexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2711
Authors: CaNesha Gordon, and Deborah Highland
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

RESIDENTS CALL FOR POLICE REVIEW BOARD, MORE TRAINING

Residents of the Clearview community on Saturday made  several 
suggestions to improve relations between black  Gallatin citizens and 
the mostly white Gallatin Police  Department.

Those suggestions included more police presence on  Roosevelt Circle 
during the week, a citizen's review  panel and more training for 
young officers about how to  deal with the public.

"Chief, tell your police officers that every black  person is not a 
drug dealer," said Walter Hollerman, a  retired Sumner County School teacher.

City Councilman John D. Alexander, who represents the  fifth district 
that includes Clearview, organized a  community meeting between 
residents and police after  several residents complained at a recent 
city council  meeting about racial profiling by the police  department.

As Alexander looked around at the more than 50 faces in  the room ay 
Key Stewart United Methodist Church he  encouraged black residents to 
attend more city council  meetings and to file complaints with the 
Gallatin  Police department so that allegations of profiling and 
other practices could be investigated.

"We have got to let the chief know," Alexander said.

Gallatin police Chief John Tisdale and several of his  officers 
attended the forum as did several city  department heads, the mayor 
and council members Ed  Mayberry, Anne Kemp and Dale Bennett. County 
Commissioner Harold Gilbert also attended the forum.

Residents who attended the meeting cited several  instances of being 
pulled over or stopped while walking  and questioned about drugs or 
alcohol activity.

"It's not the officers who are the problems, it's the  attitude 
behind the badges," said Derrick Woods who  admitted to being 
arrested in the past for drug use.

"I have paid my dues," said Woods who asked that police  look at him 
now as a person rather than the drug user  he used to be.

Another resident, Pamela Hall said that police should  treat people 
the way they want to be treated.

"I am looking for more hospitality out of officers,"  said Hall.

Residents made several other suggestions to improve  police relations 
with the Clearview community including  a citizen review panel to 
investigate citizen  allegations against the police department.

Alexander said he would support a citizens review  panel, "if the 
right people are on there."

"I would like to see church leaders, city officials,  and older 
people as well as business people," said  Alexander.

Tisdale pointed out that residents with complaints can  air their 
grievances in an official complaint at the  police department or in 
court and with the city  council.

"I have 56 (sworn officers) employees," Tisdale said.  "All employees 
don't do everything that we would like."

If an officer mistreats someone or is rude, "I need to  know," he said.

"I don't want people being mistreated," Tisdale said.

Tisdale introduced Sgt. Kate Novitsky, Commanders  Dennis Thrasher 
and Caldwell Jenkins as the officers  who would investigate any 
alleged wrongdoing on behalf  of the police.

Alexander cautioned people who commit illegal acts  against 
complaining about the police department.

"If our children or our cousin or our friend is dealing  in drugs, 
it's wrong. Don't holler police harassment  when you got drugs on 
you," Alexander said.

Tisdale thought the meeting provided an opportunity for  ideas to be exchanged.

"Anytime you exchange concerns and ideas it's a good  thing," Tisdale said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom