Houston Chronicle by Zach Despart June 8, 2020
In wake of George Floyd’s death, Harris County Dems push for more oversight, new use-of-force model
The three Democratic members of Harris County Commissioners Court have proposed several policing reforms, including increased civilian oversight of officers, a new model governing the use of force and a potential re-examination of how law enforcement agencies are funded.
The proposals come amid nationwide protests against police brutality after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis officers on May 25. A funeral for Floyd, who grew up in Third Ward, was scheduled for Tuesday in Houston. A public visitation was held Monday. Around 60,000 people attended a march and rally in the city last week.
The county leaders are attempting to capitalize on the sudden groundswell of popular support for revamping the criminal justice system, pledging to implement deliberate, research-based reforms while balancing the expectations of activists, for whom change cannot come soon enough.
The 10 proposals are the most significant attempt in decades at reforming law enforcement, long one of the most intractable issues in Harris County politics, owing to the status of the county sheriff and eight constables as independently elected officials.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/In-wake-of-George-Floyd-s-death-Democrats-15325026.php
