Poll: Oversight committee unneeded

The majority of people responding to an online Argus-Courier poll feel that a citizen’s oversight committee for the police is not necessary.

When asked if Petaluma should form a citizen’s oversight committee to review police officer conduct including officer-involved shootings, more than half (61.9 percent) said that the Petaluma City Council provides enough oversight of the police department. Thirty-two percent said “yes,” the police need more oversight.

Here are some of the comments.

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“Absolutely not! The PPD is staffed by men and women who are nothing but professional. The city does not need to jump on the left wing entitled band wagon that thinks everything law enforcement does should be questioned.”

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“Citizens are not qualified to review a police shooting.”

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“This has been needed for a very long time here, except that the oversight needs to be of the entire police department. There was the man arrested for drunk driving a few years ago who wasn’t drunk. There was the issue with the two former captains that seemed rather murky. There was the officer who was drunk at the golf course and that almost got swept under the carpet. I have heard of traffic tickets being issued for made up violations. Who knows what else people have experienced and have nowhere to turn for help. Police officers are human. They make mistakes. But all police agencies seem to cover for each other. We need help here very badly.”

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“I don’t believe the PD need more oversight, but it’s important to look at officer-involved shootings through a lens that is not colored by law enforcement’s point of view.”

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“Nationwide the anti police sentiment is dangerous and is putting police in more harm’s way.”

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“Oversight committee, yes, but reviews should be completed by an independent committee of professionals who are well read in procedures and laws. In past experience, citizen oversight or investigative committees end up mostly lynch mobs with an agenda on one side or another.”

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“It’s been an alarming trend nationwide, so let’s put into place the oversight before we have a high-profile incident that makes our Petaluma look woefully unprepared to the world.”

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“Private citizens usually don’t have the experience or expertise to qualify them for such an intense investigation. Better to leave it to an independent agency with the right qualifications.”

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“Absolutely! More transparency is better than secrecy.”

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“There is no reason not to have oversight. There is a long history of misconduct beyond officer-involved shootings that should be looked into. The leadership has a history of sweeping things under the rug. There is no reason not to have a citizens oversight committee.”

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