“No trust without accountability!'' shouted one audience member.ĭuring public comment time, the community voiced other frustrations. Groves speaking from experience about the impacts of police violence and the absence of police accountability riled the crowd to applause. Cause my trust was torn when this twelve-year-old answered the phone and heard my mama’s shot.” So, the game, the wish, and the lies, that will not bridge the gap of trust. When we still have Ronald Greene, Davari Robertson, and all these people who still are families and victims of police corruption. The consent decree is the only thing that gives the community safety, and, from a guideline – you can’t tell me that’s compliance. Groves continued, “I would have loved for my mama to be here, or I wouldn't be here today. It's been 30 years since my mama was killed.” The community is the only people that suffer. The lackluster answers upset both Groves and the crowd.Įventually, Jasmine Groves confronted the superintendent, stating, “As a victim of a mother killed by NOPD, it kind of aggravates me to see the picture painted cutely.

She went on to brag about costing Oakland $1.5 million in order to remove her and suggested the existing Police Community Advisory Boards (PCAB) as the best setting for the public to give input to police instead of CPAC. Kirkpatrick also remarked that civilian oversight boards are “dysfunctional,” citing that a civilian review board had removed her in the past.

The superintendent emphasized her plan to exit the consent decree, and many in the audience could be heard voicing that NOPD is still not in compliance. The decree exists as a result of a Department of Justice investigation into the unconstitutionality of the city’s policing. Kirkpatrick took a stance on the consent decree that particularly concerned the audience. “I don’t know anything about that,” Kirkpatrick repeated in response to questions. During the interview, Groves posed questions to the superintendent regarding the consent decree, civilian oversight, Louisiana State Police collaboration, families of police violence victims, and the violation of First Amendment rights. Jasmine Groves is a NOCOP member and has been a dedicated advocate against police violence for many years. Jasmine is the daughter of Kim Groves, who was assassinated by former NOPD officer Len Davis after Kim had reported police brutality. The event began with an interview of the superintendent by Jasmine Groves. She was sworn into office on November 1, and this town hall marked her first conversation with the public. During her confirmation process, the city council ignored demands to call a public meeting with the mayor, and unexpectedly pushed back her confirmation hearing to avoid having a large audience. Mayor Latoya Cantrell appointed her without inviting input from the city council or community. Superintendent Kirkpatrick has no background in policing in the city or state, and she took this position in New Orleans after losing previous position as a police chief in Oakland, California. The audience was notably dissatisfied with Kirkpatrick’s responses, and she left the town hall in a huff. NOCOP and other organizations demanded that Kirkpatrick endorse a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC), which she refused. Community members spent the town hall voicing their anger with police crimes, abuses of power, civil rights violations, and lack of transparency. The superintendent is the local equivalent of a chief of police. The town hall meeting, hosted by New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police (NOCOP), interviewed New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

New Orleans, LA – On Tuesday, April 9, around 100 community members filed into the gymnasium of the Treme Recreational Center for a People’s Town Hall on Policing.

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