Politics

Police Convictions Difficult to Come By

Published

9 years ago

July 17, 2015

Oakland Post

A partnership between the local NAACP and Miami-Dade State Attorney highlights a lack of police prosecution

By Derek Joy
Special to the NNPA from The Miami Times

Attendees to a NAACP Justice For All Forum at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens last week heard how difficult it is to prosecute a police officer by law enforcement officials.

“We see the need for healing in our community. There has not been a prosecution of a police since 1989 – city of Miami police officer William Lozano. Why is that?” said Ruben Carter, a member of Antioch and chairman of the local NAACP Criminal Justice Committee, who organized and moderated the forum. “Justice For All is dedicated to addressing police involved shootings, make sure we understand the process involved in these shootings. We’ve also identified ways to reduce police shootings and citizens shootings.”

While police-involved shootings commanded the major portion of attention at the forum, there was recognition of citizens-involved shootings, such as the one only days before at an Opa-locka apartment complex where four juveniles were shot in drive-by shootings.

Assistant Miami-Dade State Attorney Don Horn won a conviction of Lozano, only to see the conviction overturned by an Appellate Court. Horn recalled the case subsequently was retried with a verdict of acquittal.

“One of the worst things that happened with the Lozano case is that . . . the Appellate Court reversed the verdict by saying we didn’t have a right to present some of the evidence,” said Horn. “The courts gutted law on us the second time around. We took it to Orlando and lost. That was based on training in ‘shoot, no shoot’ scenarios. The Appellate Court said you can’t use knowledge of police training as evidence to prosecute. So, it was considered legally justified. We don’t think it was necessary.”

Reports show that Lozano stepped in front of a fleeing Clement Lloyd on a motorcycle with Alan Blanchard as a passenger, took a position and fired his weapon. Lloyd was hit and killed as his motorcycle crashed and killed Blanchard.

The argument was that Lozano put himself in danger by stepping in front of the motorcycle. That was not a part of police training. And the Appellate Court reversed the verdict based on that fact of inadmissible evidence.

Audience members wanted to know why the court would exclude evidence that would convict a police officer for using excessive force to kill a suspect unnecessarily. Others said it was an excuse to justify murder by police officers in giving them a defense that puts them above the law.

“It’s not easy to prosecute a police. The overwhelming majority of police officers are good, honest, hard-working professionals. Like any other profession, I have to prosecute bad lawyers and police,” said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s not easy. You have to look at the mother or father of the victim and say we don’t have a case. We explain other alternatives. But that doesn’t help look them in the eye and say a crime hasn’t been committed under the law.”

The forum came out of a partnership with the NAACP and the State Attorney’s office.

Reverend Arthur Jackson III, who offered a prayer to convene the meeting on June 30, highlighted several events locally and around the nation that embrace issues for which this forum was organized to address.

“Our coming together at a time like this is very crucial. We don’t have to look very far outside our community, around the country, to see the things going on. We definitely need prayer.”

Jackson, as did Miami-Dade County NAACP Vice President Brad Brown, spoke to the events in Baltimore, Md., Charleston, South Carolina and Ferguson, Mo., among other incidents in which young Black American males were killed by police officers.

Brown cited racist displays by police officers in Miami Beach and Broward County and findings of the U. S. Justice Department, which cited excessive force and Fourth Amendment violations by officers in the city of Miami Police Department.

“Miami is not without its difficult times,” said Brown.

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Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”