Richmond Police Protest Reforms to Public Communications After Police Shootings | KQED

"At least a dozen police officers protested a Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, calling for the reinstatement of two officers involved in a fatal shooting last month and demanding more staffing and higher wages. "That is not policy, it's politics, and every officer at the Richmond Police Department sees that," said Officer George McGloughlin. "If you can do your jobs, follow the law and still be sidelined for political reasons, then no officer in this city is safe from unfair treatment.""

"The proposal would require the city manager, instead of police, to issue a press release within 24 hours of a critical incident with a statement, explanation and timeline of the investigation process and access to trauma-informed mental health services for families and witnesses. Currently, the Richmond Police Department does not have a timeframe under which it must respond publicly. Councilmember Sue Wilson, one of the proposal's authors, told KQED that Richmond's policy is not unlike other cities but could still be improved."

At least a dozen Richmond police officers protested a City Council meeting, seeking reinstatement of two officers involved in a recent fatal shooting and demanding increased staffing and higher wages. Officer George McGloughlin said sidelining officers for political reasons endangers all officers. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's investigation into Montaño's killing is ongoing and the officers have not been cleared; Officer Remick was also involved in a February fatal shooting of Jose Mendez-Rios. A proposed policy would require the city manager to issue a press release within 24 hours of critical incidents with a statement, explanation, investigation timeline, and access to trauma-informed mental health services; currently no public response timeframe exists. Councilmember Sue Wilson said families often do not understand events and proposed higher communication standards while the Richmond Police Officers Association pushed back against the proposal.

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