Police Brutality Report
On March 18, 2005 a hearing was held in Los Angeles to search for solutions to end the current waves of police brutality against the African American community. The event was sponsored by the California NAACP, the National NAACP, the Los Angeles Branch and Service Employees International Union, Local 1000. This report is a compilation of findings and recommended solutions.
“The taking of Devin Brown’s life because he was joy riding in his parents’ car has stirred the souls of our members across this country, and they and we are suggesting that enough is enough. Each time we experience such a tragedy in California, a law enforcement policy or a practice is changed, but over the long term those changes do not bring about a substantial change in police conduct toward our community. There is always a next time.”
—Alice Huffman
NAACP State President
The tragic slaying of 13-year-old Devin Brown by a Los Angeles Police officer was the stimulus for this hearing. Its goal was to gather testimony from public officials, criminal justice experts, civil rights groups, and community activists for the purpose of identifying solutions to the problem of police violence toward people of color in California.
This report explores the solutions offered by the participants, expands upon them, establishes a continuum of problems and issues that must be addressed, and makes specific recommendations for action.