There’s a cloud hanging over the affirmation of Berkeley’s interim police chief.
Leaked texts are alleging a police officer made disparaging remarks in regards to the unhoused and folks of coloration and now, a battle is brewing over what the chief could have identified about it.
“I don’t suppose we’re at some extent the place anybody may have public confidence in appointing a chief with out understanding the total details of those allegations,” mentioned Nathan Mizell, the vice chair of Berkeley’s Police Accountability Board.
He’s involved about Tuesday’s affirmation vote to make Interim Berkeley Police Chief Jennifer Louis the everlasting high cop.
He mentioned allegations {that a} member of the Police Officers Affiliation made unfavorable feedback in regards to the unhoused and folks of coloration are giving him pause.
“I can’t speculate if she knew, she didn’t know,” he mentioned. “I don’t know if metropolis managers knew or didn’t know.”
What he does know is {that a} former Berkeley police officer, who was terminated for unknown causes final 12 months, is leaking textual content messages to Berkeley metropolis officers.
NBC Bay Space acquired a maintain of the display photographs after they have been made public by the advocacy group Safe Justice. Mizell mentioned they include language unfit for a police officer.
“There was one comment that mentioned homeless people may very well be worn out by some type of pressure and BPD bike drive would trip by the our bodies,” mentioned Mizell.
He mentioned he’s additionally seen feedback second hand that have been racially offensive.
The town of Berkeley launched an announcement calling the allegations very disturbing, saying, “We take them very critically. We might be hiring an exterior investigator to confirm and examine any and all documentation and allegations arising from the criticism.”
Louis can be weighing in, saying she is making it clear that if the allegations are true, “not one of the alleged incidents occurred beneath my supervision.”
A police chief affirmation vote is about for Tuesday night.
The police accountability board plans to satisfy earlier than that.
