Stories of shootings involving police and the public are often in the news, but officials in Virginia are hoping to prevent them here. Attorney General Mark Herring traveled more than 2,500 this summer to meet with law enforcement and community leaders in 22 cities. Now, the governor is planning his own listening tours, beginning tomorrow in Richmond.
At each of four stops, Governor Terry McAuliffe will hear from police and community leaders hoping to strengthen their relationships. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia will be on hand, to talk about the use of force and body cameras. Executive Director Claire Gastenaga will highlight a policy already in place in Westmoreland County.
“The use of force policy the sheriff has now put in place is probably the most progressive in the nation that hasn’t been compelled by a court order.”
And she’ll raise questions about state regulation of police conduct.
“If you’re a police officer, you can’t lose your license to practice policing in Virginia unless you’re convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, so you can violate the use of force policy in five different departments and walk down the street and get hired as a police person and get hired with your certificate still in tact.”
The first listening session is set for the Police Academy in Richmond tomorrow from 2-4. August 29th, the governor will visit the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Ashburn. August 31st will find him at the Virginia Beach Police Academy, and Roanoke’s meeting will take place September 27th at the Western Crime Lab.
