By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
“This is deeply concerning,” said Darlene Sweeney-Newbern, president of the NAACP Toledo Branch, during a press conference on Monday, April 27, as she announced that a formal complaint has been filed with her office regarding the police mistreatment of a 15-year-old girl during a recent encounter.
As a result, the local NAACP office is demanding a second meeting with city and police officials and calling for: “a full and transparent investigation; the identification of all officers involve; a review of use-of-force policies involving minors and appropriate disciplinary action when wrongdoing is confirmed,” said Sweeney-Newbern.
The incident happened when Toledo police officers stopped a group of teenagers for walking in the street. The 15-year-old girl declined to give her name and said she was going to call her mother.
Released footage by the girl’s mother showed the officer pushing the girl against the patrol vehicle, then rolling her onto the street, where the officer attempts to pin her. It also appears that the officer takes the girl to the street both before and after he handcuffs her. The officers also used profanity towards the onlookers according to audio recording.
“We want swift action,” Sweeney-Newbern emphasized during this week’s press conference, adding that such a meeting should be scheduled as soon as possible. “We have a timeline, within 30 days.”
The NAACP will be calling for mandatory training on the use of force, mandatory training on racial profiling and banning the use of profanity. The civil rights organization also wants city leaders to take a serious look at recruitment priorities for the city’s safety forces.
“We need more police officers of color … a police force that should look like our people,” Sweeney-Newbern said. “We need due diligence in trying to recruit.”
Standing with Sweeney-Newbern on Monday for the press conference at the African American Legacy Project were a host of community leaders, pastors and concerned citizens who expressed their agreement with her statements.
“Everything she said was exactly correct,” said Earl Murry, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Toledo and one of the attendees at the initial meeting with city and police officials after the April 10 incident.
After a second meeting with city and police officials the NAACP Toledo Branch will determine the next steps that should be taken, Said Sweeney-Newbern.
“The fight for justice persists, a change will come,” she exclaimed.