Chris Dunker  🗞

So, the announcement today was 1. A review underway of the city's use of force policy 2. Development of the Pershing block.

Q: Is the mayor putting forward any recommendations for the police advisory board? A: I'm involved in the process and working with LPD to examine policies recommended, but this is an expertise in policing operations that needs to be reviewed by experts.

Q: Did you see anything in police response to protest that was troubling? A: We didn't like what we saw when people with ulterior motives infiltrated the groups and caused chaos, but we rapidly evolved.

Q: What about rubber bullets and dogs? A: What I learned that week was that the presence of people in riot gear can escalate the situation. We tried to move away from that. They had never seen anything like that.

"I think everyone feels a lot better where we are today than where we were on those calamitous nights," LGB says. Rubber bullets can cause a lot of harm, and she's glad they moved beyond that and are working with protesters to voice their concerns.

Q: Will there be a policy revision that allows disciplinary actions against police become public? A from Chief Bliemeister: That's a discussion moving forward. It sounds like a collective bargaining agreement is preventing some of that from being released.

Q: What about defunding the police and strengthening other departments? A: That phrase means a lot of different things to different people. There is money being put into mental health initiatives and others. Right now, police will respond if 911 is called.

Q: Are there areas of police policy you feel are needing updated? Bliemeister: I do have suggestions, those will be brought forward to police advisory board, and there will be an opportunity for public comment. He doesn't give specifics.