DCLC Calls For Increased Latino Representation on DC Police Reform Commission

The DC Council recently announced the establishment of a Police Reform Commission seeking to improve police accountability. While the co-chair of the commission is a Latina with academic work experience at Georgetown Law's Innovative Policing Program, she is the only person representing the community on the 22-person body.

Additionally, we are concerned at the absence of a Latino/a individual with experience in local DC politics who is recognized/known by members of our local community.We wrote a letter to DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson urging the appointment of an additional Latino/a in August, but have not received a response.

We will continue to push for increased representation.

You can view the original letter here.

Text of the letter was as follows:

August 20, 2020

The Honorable Phil Mendelson

Chair, Council of the District of Columbia

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

RE: Community-based Latino/a representation on District of Columbia Police Reform Commission

Dear Chairman Mendelson,

On behalf of the DC Latino Caucus Board of Directors, I am writing regarding the recent announcement establishing a Police Reform Commission seeking to improve police accountability. The announcement noted the appointment of 20 individuals and two co-chairs, all of whom seem highly qualified and many have a history of deep involvement in DC community and civic affairs.

We acknowledge that co-chair Prof. Christy Lopez is clearly highly qualified by nature of her academic work as part of Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program. We are sure that her expertise will be essential in leading the Commission’s efforts and recommendations.

However, the DC Latino Caucus is concerned about the lack of community-based Latino representation on this Commission. With all due respect to Prof. Lopez and her impressive qualifications, she is not known to be an involved participant in ongoing community affairs or activism on local issues. Many of us do not see ourselves well-represented on the Commission in terms of the day-to-day work and struggles faced by Latino/as across the District.

Prof. Lopez also serves as the sole Latino/a on the 22-member Commission. The District’s Latino/as comprise over 10% of the population. We face unique policing challenges that include language barriers and fear that police may collude with US immigration enforcement, among other apprehensions. Given these unique concerns, DCLC would find it an asset to have additional Latino/a representation on the Commission.

DCLC requests the appointment of at least one additional Latino/a to the Commission with clearly demonstrated community ties. If the Selection Committee had specific problems in locating or appointing a qualified Latino/a with community ties, DCLC and its partners would be glad to assist. Please find our contacts below.

Regards,

Gabriela Mossi, President (signed)

Jose Barrios, Vice President (signed)