State College Borough Council passed a detailed resolution on police reform. Here’s what it means
In the wake of local protests, sit-ins and calls for police reform, the State College Borough Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass a resolution aimed at making positive change in the police department while addressing racial inequality.
The resolution, penned by councilman Dan Murphy and councilwoman Deanna Behring, outlined an extensive plan that centered around increasing transparency and accountability. It passed 6-0 with Theresa Lafer absent, as local activists overwhelmingly lauded and supported the move.
Among the changes included the commitment to:
- Create a Community Oversight Group by Aug. 1, which — if needed — will be funded by the police department
- Hire a Borough Equity Officer to support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in State College
- Hold a special working session at 7 p.m. Monday to discuss current police training and future training needs
- Discuss the distribution of funds across the police department in the next budget planning cycle, so concerns like mental health, housing and community programming are also addressed
- Support police reform efforts proposed by the Pennsylvania Black Legislative Caucus by calling on local politicians to also offer their support
Other measures include holding more meetings after the receipt of the Task Force on Mental Health Crisis Services report, receiving a report on the implementation of body cams July 6 and continuing the ban of chokeholds, strangleholds and knee restraints.
“The time for talking a lot is over; the time now is to act,” councilman Evan Myers said. “Even though this is far from perfect, we need to pass this resolution and continue to listen, to learn and to take action. More action will be needed, that is for sure.”
The online Zoom council meeting remained subdued and civil for much of the 90-minute duration. Early on, small amendments were proposed — such as changing the “Community Advisory Group” to a “Community Oversight Group,” which elicited a 20-minute debate — but emotions began to peak during the public comment section of the meeting.
Councilman Peter Marshall had earlier expressed misgivings about naming police officers involved in certain incidents, such as the Osazie Osagie shooting in March 2019, when a 29-year-old African American man was shot and killed while State College police executed a mental health warrant. Marshall, who said his family includes six people of color, worried naming such officers would lead to undue harassment.
One resident, Leslie Laing, took exception to that statement.
“The reason that we want the names are the very reason you said you don’t want to subject these officers to unfairly being harassed,” she said. “But we don’t want to unfairly subject people of color to death — because you come to our homes when we ask for help and you shoot us, rather than transport us to the hospital.”
Laing continued, her voice rising: “I need you to have a value check. Our lives are worth more than the harassment they may get for a short period of time.”
Tuesday’s approved resolution is simply the first step in a multi-pronged approach to local reform. The council technically approved only its commitment to reform, as council president Jesse Barlow explained to the Centre Daily Times that the council will likely have to pass five or six separate ordinances to put those commitments into action.
For example, the borough cannot simply start an oversight group from a resolution. But the resolution allows an ordinance to be put forward to start one, and the council can research whether any state funds might be available for such a position.
Barlow was unsure if any ordinances might be put forth in time for the next council meeting July 6, and he wondered aloud whether the Aug. 1 deadline for the oversight group might be a bit idealistic. But he said the council felt strongly about following through on all its commitments, and he was adamant such a resolution was far more than talk.
Several of the council members spoke passionately about the resolution during Tuesday’s meeting, and five members of the public thanked them for taking that first step.
“As a whole, we certainly support this resolution,” said Geoffrey Landers-Nolan, a member of the 3/20 Coalition, which supports Osagie and his family.
Added local activist Charles Dumas: “We support the resolution, and we support the speakers from the community who spoke before us.”
Tuesday’s meeting came about after an open letter that Murphy posted on his personal website dated June 11, the same day protesters staged a sit-in at the Municipal Building and demanded an audience with the mayor. That letter laid the foundation for Tuesday’s resolution, which was a cooperative effort from Murphy and Behring.
While not perfect, which both council members and the public conceded, everyone who spoke Tuesday felt it was a step in the right direction — and long overdue.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Myers added. “We can’t delay.”
