FAIRFAX, Va. — A group of about three dozen people who have been asked to take a close look at the way the Fairfax County Police Department operates met for the first time Monday night at the County Government Center.
The Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission was created by the county Board of Supervisors in the wake of the police-involved shooting of John Geer, and questions about the department’s use of force in the case, as well as its unwillingness to share information about it.
“We realize that as good as we are, as good as we think we are, there’s still room to be better. And that’s what we’re here for … to find out best practices. To find out how we can improve,” said Fairfax County Deputy Police Chief Tom Ryan, a member of the commission, as members introduced themselves.
“We welcome this. We endorse it. We support it, and we’re here to learn,” he added.
The commission includes police officers, residents, community leaders, members of the media and legal experts.
“I’d like to see independent oversight (of police) at the very least,” said resident Jeff Stewart.
Pete Earley is a former Washington Post reporter who is now an author and advocate focused on mental health issues. “We have lagged behind in crisis intervention training,” he said.
“I believe that in order for the public to have trust in its government, we have got to be more transparent,” said WUSA9 reporter and anchor Peggy Fox.
Resident Sal Culosi said policy changes were promised after his son was shot and killed by Fairfax County police in 2006 and he wants a list of the changes that have been made. He also spoke of rumors about the reasons for the review commission.
“There is a lot of conjecture that this commission is just political cover for the elections that are coming up in November,” he said.
Commission Chairman Michael Hershman disputed that: “Despite speculation that there might be some sort of a political end or means to this committee, I’m not involved in it.”
Hershman says the county has promised to cooperate: “There will be no obstacles placed in our way by the county. I’ve been assured of that.”
The commission’s next meeting is set for April 27, with two more in May and June.
