John Mataka: Police reform needed now
Re “Law enforcement officers shocked, saddened by events in Dallas” (Front Page, July 9): It is a sad day when any life is taken, police or civilian. Comments from Ceres Chief of Police Brent Smith, Oakdale Police Chief Mike Harden, and Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson speak volumes to the problem in police and community relations. Encouraging community members to "sit back and wait" for the investigation to be completed when we have seen time and time again the current process does not work. The investigations always fail to hold the officers accountable and the court system always fails to convict the police of their wrongdoing.
Meanwhile black and brown lives are lost! Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton asking the question whether or not Philando Castile would have been murdered if he was white was "right on time.” For those of us who are honest about the current situation the answer is "no.” Police have a problem admitting the truth about this fact and are angry at the governor because now white people are speaking up about what is happening. This is how apparent it is! The community will continue to rise up until justice and police reform takes place and it will!
John Mataka, Grayson
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 7:23 PM with the headline "John Mataka: Police reform needed now."