ACLU Norcal, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area & Other Legal Groups Denounce Sacramento Police Department’s Unlawful Draft Military Equipment Use Policy Ahead of Vote at Sacramento City Council
For Immediate Release
September 6, 2022
Media Contact
Raya Steier, 530-723-2426, rsteier@lccrsf.org
Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
ACLU NorCal, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area & Other Legal Groups Denounce Sacramento Police Department’s Unlawful Draft Military Equipment Use Policy Ahead of Vote at Sacramento City Council.
WHAT: Five legal non-profits and law firms have published a joint letter to Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Sacramento City Councilmembers denouncing a Military Equipment Use Policy proposed by the Sacramento Police Department. The policy is scheduled for a City Council vote on September 13, 2022. The draft Policy violates California Assembly Bill 481, a new law governing use of military equipment by law enforcement in California. The policy fails to meet the law’s four basic requirements for approval, including demonstrating the equipment is reasonably cost-effective compared to available alternatives. The Sacramento Police Department also disregarded community perspectives during the drafting process, contravening AB 481. Representatives of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, a signatory to the letter, are available for analysis and comment on the Draft Policy.
WHO: The letter was signed by five legal non-profits and law firms including Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, ACLU Nor Cal, Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, the Law Office of Mark E. Merin and the law firm Siegel, Yee, Bruner & Mehta. The signatory organizations and law firms have represented, or are currently representing, individuals who have been significantly harmed by military equipment in the City of Sacramento.
WHERE: The Sacramento City Council will take a vote on the Draft Military Equipment Use Policy proposed by the Sacramento Police Department on 13th September 2022.
WHEN: 13th September 2022
Read the letter here.