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Police Accountability Task Force
In the immediate aftermath of Andy Lopez’s death in 2013, NBOP leaders helped bring attention to police brutality in our neighborhoods by convening community gatherings and working directly with leaders from our most impacted communities. Nearly a decade later, our people are still standing up to institutions that kill, harm, detain and criminalize immigrants and members of our most vulnerable communities.
The carceral state is fueled by acquiescence to white supremacy. Over-policed communities are the same communities who’ve survived violent colonial structures that dared keep us down. Our self-preservation is a radical act. Our thriving is a radical act. Together, we have won incredible victories on the long road toward abolition. Together, we have stood up to police violence before. And we will again.
NBOP leaders voted to formally prioritize a task force that could actively hold police accountable for their harm in our communities, reduce further militarization of these institutions and provide civilians with tools for defending their rights when engaging with the police.
Ongoing Campaigns
In 2020, our neighbors across Sonoma County voted by a landslide to hold police accountable for their violent acts through Measure P – a law that gave the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO) new authority to investigate potential wrongdoing and make disciplinary recommendations.
The Police Accountability Task Force is looking for leaders who want to stand up and work to hold law enforcement institutions accountable.
Community Forum on Racism and Interactions with Police in Petaluma
In June 2020, Petaluma City Management held a Petaluma Policing Town Hall Virtual Meeting in response to the uprising for Black Lives and actions about policing and social justice. Many community members, and particularly BIPOC voices, felt that they were not heard. NBOP's Petaluma Table gathered community organizations to host a listening circle and forum that would hold space for voices from the BIPOC communities of Petaluma. Then, NBOP leaders and coalition members produced a report centering four recommendations for the City of Petaluma.
Will you join us?
If you have questions or want to get involved, please get in touch with us at info@northbayop.org and your inquiry will be directed to our Police Accountability Task Force organizers.
To learn more about our work, watch a livestream of our Police Accountability and Religious Leaders Task Force speak at a community vigil for David Pelaez Chavez, who was fatally shot by a Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy on July 29, 2022.